This book provides a needed survey of a truly remarkable number of different theoretical approaches to the related phenomena of attitude and belief change. It focuses on variable perspective theory which is far more deserving of attention than the present level of research activity.

Attitudes and Persuasion provides an up-to-date overview of the crucial role that attitudes play in our everyday lives and how our thoughts and behaviour are influenced. The nature, function and origins of attitudes are examined, and a review of how they can be measured is given. The book addresses complex questions such as whether we always behave in accordance with our attitudes and what factors may influence us to change them.

This book provides a needed survey of a truly remarkable number of different theoretical approaches to the related phenomena of attitude and belief change. It focuses on variable perspective theory which is far more deserving of attention than the present level of research activity.

This new handbook presents, synthesizes, and integrates the existing knowledge of methods, theories, and data in attitudes. The editors' goal is to promote an understanding of the broader principles underlying attitudes across several disciplines. Divided into three parts: one on definitions and methods; another on the relations of attitudes with beliefs, behavior, and affect; and a final one that integrates these relations into the broader areas of cognitive processes, communication and persuasion, social influence, and applications, the handbook also features an innovative chapter on implicit versus explicit attitudes. With contributions from the top specialists, this handbook features unique collaborations between researchers, some who have never before worked together. Every writer was encouraged to work from as unbiased a perspective as possible. A "must have" for researchers in the areas of social, political, health, clinical, counseling, and consumer psychology, marketing, and communication, the handbook will also serve as an excellent reference for advanced courses on attitudes in a variety of departments.

This volume includes edited and revised versions of the papers delivered and discussed at the recent Advertising and Consumer Psychology Conference. Following the theme of the conference -- "Measuring Advertising Effectiveness" -- the book blends academic psychology, marketing theory, survey methodology, and practical experience, while simultaneously addressing the problems and limitations of advertising. Acknowledging that advertisements are subtle, diverse, complex phenomena that require detailed investigation, this compilation explores the multidimensional nature of advertising's diverse effects from both academic and applied perspectives. Updates on theories and methods -- along with expert commentaries -- help to make this a valuable collection that will be of interest to advertising and marketing specialists and communications experts alike.

Attitudes are evaluations of people, places, things, and ideas. They help us to navigate through a complex world. They provide guidance for decisions about which products to buy, how to travel to work, or where to go on vacation. They color our perceptions of others. Carefully crafted interventions can change attitudes and behavior. Yet, attitudes, beliefs, and behavior are often formed and changed in casual social exchanges. The mere perception that other people favor something, say, rich people, may be sufficient to make another person favor it. People’s own actions also influence their attitudes, such that they adjust to be more supportive of the actions. People’s belief systems even change to align with and support their preferences, which at its extreme is a form of denial for which people lack awareness. These two volumes provide authoritative, critical surveys of theory and research about attitudes, beliefs, persuasion, and behavior from key authors in these areas. The first volume covers theoretical notions about attitudes, the beliefs and behaviors to which they are linked, and the degree to which they are held outside of awareness. It also discusses motivational and cultural determinants of attitudes, influences of attitudes on behavior, and communication and persuasion. The second volume covers applications to measurement, behavior prediction, and interventions in the areas of cancer, HIV, substance use, diet, and exercise, as well as in politics, intergroup relations, aggression, migrations, advertising, accounting, education, and the environment.

Advances in Experimental Social Psychology

The history of drug abuse prevention campaigns suggests limitations in producing measurable changes in behavior. In the past, there was concern over the possibility of such publicity actually encouraging interest in drug use, rather than discouraging such behavior. Although little or no scientifically sound empirical evidence has been found to support such a view, several social science textbooks still refer to this as something of which to be wary. Reviews of early research appear to indicate inadequate methods and a lack of rigor in theory testing. In recent years, however, research in communication and its uses in drug abuse prevention has become considerably more sophisticated, and communication is being used far more effectively. In this book, the editors bring together some of the most successful drug abuse prevention researchers in the country -- along with other experts in this field or in persuasive communication -- to address use and effects of both mass media and interpersonal strategies. This collection illustrates just how far the study of public influence through mass media has come, especially regarding such a vital, relevant issue as drug abuse prevention.

First published in 1987. This volume presents papers from the Fifth Ontario Symposium on Personality and Social Psychology, held at the University of Waterloo, August 21-23, 1984. The contributors are active researchers in the area of social influence. One of the purposes of this volume is to provide an accurate picture of our current knowledge about social influence processes. Thus, the chapters describe important recent developments in this area. A second and perhaps more important purpose of this volume is to bring together scholars with different perspectives on the social influence process in order to stimulate further research and theorizing in this area.