Mathematical Models of Attitude Change, Volume 1: Change in Single Attitudes and Cognitive Structure presents the mathematical models that address the existing verbal attitude change theories, which are translated into families of mathematical models. This book discusses the two types of attitude change, namely, the attitude toward the object of the message and the attitude toward the source of the message.
Organized into three parts encompassing 17 chapters, this volume begins with an overview of the mathematical models of attitude change that are derived from several theories. This text then explains the empirical work designed to test selected mathematical models of attitude change. Other chapters consider the predictions made by different models, including reinforcement, information processing, social judgment, balance, dissonance, and congruity. This book discusses as well the attitude-related variable, namely, belief and belief change. The final chapter deals with models of change in hierarchical organized attitudes using alternative theories of attitude change.
This book is a valuable resource for psychologists.

Contenu

Preface

Introduction
Some Important Definitions
Background and Context

I. The Passive Communication Context

Reinforcement Theory
Basic Reinforcement Model
Theoretical and Technical Alternatives
Source Credibility
Reinforcement Theory: Source Change
Attitude Change and Source Change
Information Processing Theory
Introduction
The Basic Information Processing Model
Information Processing Model: An Alternative Derivation
Multiple Messages
Compound Messages
Nonlinear Discrepancy Curves
Theoretical and Technical Variations
Source Change: Interpersonal Context
Source Change in a Political Context
Source Change: Other Contexts
Social Judgment Theory
Latitudes of Acceptance and Rejection
Basic Social Judgment Model
Theoretical and Technical Variations
Social Judgment Theory: Source Change
Source Change and Attitude Change
Affective Consistency: Balance and Congruity Theory
Balance Theory as Newcomb Derived It
Congruity Theory and Two Stage S-R Theory
Classical Congruity Theory
Introduction
Preview
The Original Congruity Model: One-Step Equilibrium
Correction for Incredulity
Source-Object Asymmetry
The Negative Message
Message Strength and the Neutral Message
Congruity without Polarity
Dissonance Theory
Introduction
The Intuitive Model
A First Conservation Model
A Second Conservation Model
Janis's Theory of Fear Appeals
Summary of Attitude and Source Change Theories
Summary of Attitude Change Theories
Summary of Source Change Theories
Cognitive Consistency Theory
Introduction
Logical Consistency Theory and Subjective Probability
Causation and Subjective Probability
The Relevance of the Irrelevant and Vice Versa
Attitude as a Special Kind of Belief
Problems in the Wyer-Goldberg Prediction of Change
Models of Belief Change
Cognitive Inconsistency
Indirect Effects: A One-Step Model
Preservation of Consistency by the One-Step Model
Cognitive Consistency as a Predicted End State
Consistency Producing Probe Messages
Transfer Discrepancy
Awareness of Belief Change
Conclusion

II. Attitude Change Studies

Attitude and Source Change in a Simulated Social Network
Method
Results: Change in Attitude toward the Object
Results for Source Change
Observations
Change in Political Party and Issue Attitudes
Introduction
Congruity Theory
Information Processing Theory
Reinforcement Theory
Quantitative Differentiation Between Information Processing and Reinforcement Theories
The British Panel Data
Observations
Belief Change and Accumulated Information
Introduction
Polarity
Accumulated Information
Hybrid Model
Empirical Study
Results
Observations
Conclusion
Cognitive Inconsistency and Change in Purchase Intention
Introduction
Purchase Intention
Advertising and Change in Purchase Intention
The First Study
The Second Study
Observations

III. Relations Between Attitudes

Attitude Change in Concept Hierarchies
Concept Hierarchies
Top Down Influence
Models of Change
The Double Comparison Model
Asymptotic Values in Special Cases
The General Results of the Equilibrium Analysis
A Two-Phase Model of External Message Effects
The Dynamics of Attitude Change
Long-Lasting Effects of Attitude Change
Individual Differences in Cognitive Structure
Persuasibility and Dogmatism
Estimation of Parameters
Additional Observations
A Longitudinal and Experimental Test of the Hierarchical Model of Attitude Change
Overview
Introduction
Change without Messages: The Internal Influence Model
Change with Messages: External Message Models
Stochastic Models
Estimation and Testing
Method
Results
Observations
Conclusion
Behaviors and Attitudes in Hierarchical Systems
Problems in Measuring Behavior
Literature Review
Implications of the Hierarchical Model for Message Design
Conclusion
Hierarchical Models from Other Theories
Introduction
Social Judgment and Dissonance Theories
Balance Theory
Congruity Theory
Reinforcement Theory: General Consideration
Reinforcement Theory: The Basic Model
Reinforcement Theory with Extinction
Extinction and Persuasive Messages
Reinforcement Theory: Conclusion