Ch 5: Attitudes and Persuasion
About This Chapter
Attitudes and Persuasion - Chapter Summary and Learning Objectives
The attitude a person projects is not just a product of their personality. In fact, social psychology points out that persuasion, emotions and other factors can affect a person's attitude. Think about it. Have you ever had a bad day where you felt incredibly grumpy? What influenced your bad behavior? Did you just wake up grumpy? Chances are you didn't wake up feeling that way. More likely, you experienced or were exposed to things throughout your day that altered your mood until you were completely and utterly grumpy. This touches a little on what you will learn in this chapter. Some of the more specific things that you will learn include:
- The ABC model of attitudes
- The difference between implicit and explicit attitudes
- Central and peripheral routes
- The influence of emotions on attitude
- Types of persuasion techniques
- The use of subliminal messages
Video | Objective |
---|---|
The ABC Model of Attitudes: Affect, Behavior & Cognition | Explore this model by looking at related examples. |
Implicit vs. Explicit Attitudes: Definition, Examples & Pros/Cons | Examine the definition and pros and cons of each type of attitude. |
Elaboration Likelihood Model of Persuasion: Central vs. Peripheral Route | Discover the distinction between the central route and the peripheral route and why people take one over the other. |
How Emotion Influences Attitudes and Persuasion | Research the influence of emotions on attitudes and persuasion. |
Types of Persuasion Techniques: How to Influence People | Learn about techniques like low-balling, foot-in-the-door, door-in-the-face and scarcity. |
Subliminal Messages: Definition, Examples & Validity | Study if subliminal messages are valid ways to influence people's thoughts and behaviors. |
Attitude Inoculation: Definition, Explanation & Examples | Analyze how attitude inoculation can prevent attitude changes in spite of persuasion efforts. |
Theory of Planned Behavior: Definition, Examples & Usefulness | Find out about the usefulness of predicting actual behavior as opposed to simple attitudes. |

1. The ABC Model of Attitudes: Affect, Behavior & Cognition
Attitudes are an important topic of study for social psychologists. In this lesson, we define attitudes and discuss their three components as illustrated by the ABC Model: affective, behavioral and cognitive.

2. Implicit vs. Explicit Attitudes: Definition, Examples & Pros/Cons
In this lesson, we define and distinguish between implicit and explicit attitudes. We also identify various methods used to measure attitudes and the pros and cons of each.

3. Elaboration Likelihood Model of Persuasion: Central vs. Peripheral Route
The Elaboration Likelihood Model is discussed in this lesson, including the distinction between the central route and the peripheral route, examples of each route and when people are likely to take one route over the other.

4. How Emotion Influences Attitudes and Persuasion
Emotions can be used to induce attitude change in a number of ways. In this lesson, we discuss how they can be used within persuasive communication to illicit both short-term and long-term attitude change.

5. Types of Persuasion Techniques: How to Influence People
It's easy to underestimate just how frequently we are affected by persuasion techniques. In this lesson, we discuss four of the classics: low-balling, foot-in-the-door, door-in-the-face, and scarcity. We also define and discuss reactance theory in relation to scarcity.

6. Subliminal Messages: Definition, Examples & Validity
The use of subliminal messages - especially in advertising - has been controversial for decades. In this lesson, we define subliminal messages and discuss their validity using several examples of research conducted on the topic.

7. Attitude Inoculation: Definition, Explanation & Examples
Every day, other people try to persuade us into changing our attitudes and behavior. In this lesson, we discuss a couple of ways to resist persuasion - using attitude inoculation, in particular. We define attitude inoculation and explain how it can prevent attitude change in spite of persuasion efforts.

8. Theory of Planned Behavior: Definition, Examples & Usefulness
Most assume that our attitudes determine our behavior. However, according to the theory of planned behavior, there is more to predicting behavior than just knowing one's attitude. In this lesson, we discuss this theory and its usefulness in predicting actual behavior.
Earning College Credit
Did you know… We have over 200 college courses that prepare you to earn credit by exam that is accepted by over 1,500 colleges and universities. You can test out of the first two years of college and save thousands off your degree. Anyone can earn credit-by-exam regardless of age or education level.
To learn more, visit our Earning Credit Page
Transferring credit to the school of your choice
Not sure what college you want to attend yet? Study.com has thousands of articles about every imaginable degree, area of study and career path that can help you find the school that's right for you.
Other Chapters
Other chapters within the Psychology 104: Social Psychology course