San Diego State University Psychology Discussion

In a few sentences, please respond to each of the following questions. Up to 10 points can be earned for a completed assignment, with partial credit available for incomplete responses.

• Define the term attitudes, explain why they are of interest to social psychologists, and distinguish between implicit and explicit attitudes
• Attitudes develop through many different forms. Explain the process of classical conditioning and give an example of how this type of learning might influence attitude formation. Include a description for each of the five significant elements that enable this type of learning to occur
• Attitudes develop through many different forms. Explain the process of instrumental/operant conditioning and give an example of how this type of learning might influence attitude formation. Include a description for each of the four types of consequences that enable this type of learning to occur
• Attitudes develop through many different forms. Explain the process of observational learning and give an example of how this type of learning might influence attitude formation. Explain how social comparison might affect this type of learning
• Define the term persuasion and explain how attitudes change through the use of various kinds of messages
• Discuss several variables that are likely to influence the communicators, messages and audiences through the process of persuasion. Which do you think is most beneficial and why? Support your response
• Identify and describe each of the techniques of persuasion. Which do you think would be the most successful technique and why? Support your response
• Explain each of the following ways that we might resist persuasion: reactance; forewarning; selective avoidance; selective exposure; self-regulation
• Define the term cognitive dissonance and explain why researchers have described it as an unpleasant state. Discuss the strategies for resolving dissonance and how our behaviors can change for the better