Effects of introspection on meta and structural attitude bases
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Authors
Vaughan-Johnston, Thomas
Date
2016-08-26
Type
thesis
Language
eng
Keyword
introspection , attitudes , mechanism , affect , cognition , attitude bases
Alternative Title
Abstract
Introspection is the process by which individuals question their attitudes; either questioning why
they hold their attitudes (Why introspection), or how they feel about a particular attitude object
(How introspection). Previous research has suggested that Why-introspection induces attitude change, and that Why and How introspection influence attitude-behaviour consistency,persuasion, and other effects. Generally, psychologists have assumed that affective and cognitive attitude bases are the mechanism by which introspection leads to these effects. Leading perspectives originating from these findings suggest that either Why introspection changes the
content of cognitive attitude bases (the skewness hypothesis), or increases the salience of cognitive attitude bases (the dominance hypothesis); whereas How introspection may increase the salience of affective attitude bases (another part of the dominance hypothesis). However,
direct evidence for these mechanisms is lacking, and the distinction between structural and meta bases has not been considered. Two studies investigated this gap in the existing literature. Both studies measured undergraduate students’ attitudes and attitude bases (both structural and meta, affective and cognitive) before and after engaging in an introspection manipulation (Why introspection / How introspection / control), and after reading a (affective / cognitive) persuasive passage about the attitude object. No evidence was found supporting either the skewness or
dominance hypotheses. Furthermore, previous introspection effects were not replicated in the
present data. Possible reasons for these null findings are proposed, and several unexpected
effects are examined.
Description
Thesis (Master, Psychology) -- Queen's University, 2016-08-26 11:31:09.246
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ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.