Attitudes and Attitude Change (Social Psychology: A Modular Course)

What are attitudes, how do we form them and how can they be modified? Attitudes are summary evaluations of an infinite range of things from ourselves and other people, to actions, events and ideas. The question of how attitudes are formed and how they can be modified is a central concern in social psychology. This textbook provides the student with a comprehensive and accessible overview of this important topic. It covers both traditional and modern approaches to the study of attitudes, drawing on key research and real-life examples. It is divided into three main parts. First the authors discuss basic issues in attitude research, dealing with definitions and functions, measurement and structure. Secondly, they examine the source of attitudes, featuring chapters on nature and nurture, cognitive constructions, persuasion processes and behavioural influences. Finally the consequences of attitudes are dealt with, with chapters focusing on the influence on information processing and behaviour. With chapter summaries, study exercises, numerous illustrations and further reading lists, Bohner and Wänke have provided essential reading for students in psychology and sociology, and a valuable resource for those interested in intrapersonal processes and the psychological study of attitudes.Dr Michaela Wanke is the author of 'Attitudes and Attitude Change (Social Psychology: A Modular Course)', published 2002 under ISBN 9780863777790 and ISBN 0863777791.