Theory, research and application about attitudes. Attitudes change.
Attitudes conceptualization, organization and dynamics and attitudesbehavior
relationships. Psychological processes about social influence
and persuasion, attitude resistance. Fields of application and
intervention.
Mandatory books:
-Maio, G. & Haddock, G. (2019, 3nd Edition). The psychology of attitudes
and attitude change. London: Sage. (sections 1,2,3)
Brambilla, M. e Sacchi, S. (a cura di) (2022). Psicologia sociale del pregiudizio. Raffaello Cortina Editore (capitoli 1,2,3,4,5,6,9,11,13,14).
Optional books:
- Brown, R. (2013). Psicologia del pregiudizio. Bologna: Il Mulino.
- It is suggested the revision of the basic concepts of matter using a
recent manual of Social Psychology.
Information and updates will be available on the course website (e-learning)
Learning Objectives
- Knowledge and understanding: knowledge and understanding of the
concept, structure and dynamics of attitudes, measurement of attitudes,
attitude-behavior relationships, psychological processes of social
influence with particular regard to changing attitudes and resistance to
change.
- Applying knowledge and understanding: knowledge of the application
fields of the psychology of attitudes; development of theoretical and
methodological skills to analyze the processes of formation and change of
attitudes; skills into using effective reference schemas for the analysis of
change interventions; understand the ethical implications of the research
focusing on knowledge and changing attitudes.
- Making judgments: ability to integrate previously acquired knowledge
with the specific contents of the course, to analyze to autonomously
processes of organization and changing attitudes, be able to think about
the ethical aspects of their future profession.
- Communication skills: ability to communicate acquired knowledge
clearly and make interesting observations about the course contents,
using specific terms adequately.
- Learning skills: learning ability necessary for analyzing critically and
autonomously research material related to the course contents.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge in psychology (at least: Social Psychology, General
Psychology, Developmental Psychology).
Teaching Methods
- Knowledge and understanding: lessons, thematic seminar and the use
of audiovisual aids and bibliographic material.
- Applying knowledge and understanding: practice in classroom, group
work.
- Making judgments: group work and discussions.
- Communication skills: oral presentation of the papers, group discussion.
- Learning skills: a participatory approach to learning will be emphasized.
Further information
None
Type of Assessment
Written and oral exam.
Written: multiple-choice questions and open or filling questions.
Oral: admission subject to passing the written test.
The final vote will take into account - together with the written and oral
test - the evaluation of classroom activities (for attending students).
Grade (18/30 as a pass mark).
Knowledge and comprehension skills will be evaluated through written
and oral exams.
Applying knowledge and understanding will be assessed during group
work and they will be evaluated through written and oral exams.
Making judgments will be assessed through practice in classroom and
oral exam.
Communication skills will be evaluated through written (open or filling
questions) and oral exams.
Learning skills will be evaluated through written and oral exams.
Course program
This course deals with theory, research and application in the area of
attitudes and attitude change. Attitudes are an integral construct in many
areas of contemporary research – prejudice, self-perception,
interpersonal relations, health, marketing and consumer behavior, jury
decision making, politics, etc. This class will review: what attitudes are
and how do they relate to other psychological constructs (e.g.,
personality, emotion, mood, stereotypes, and beliefs); how can attitudes
be measured; the process through which attitudes can be changed; ways
in which attitudes guide thinking and behavior, and other issues that are
relevant to attitude theory. The first part reviews the history of the
attitude concept, theories of attitude formation and organization,
methods of attitude measurement; the second part examines the
dynamics of attitudes and the attitude-behavior relation; and the third
part deals with communication and persuasion and current issues in the
literature (e.g., “implicit” attitudes). Topics:
- Historical overview, definition of attitude;
- Attitude measurement: Standard attitude scaling; alternative
techniques; reliability and validity of attitude measures;
- Attitude formation: Behavioral and Cognitive Theories;
- Attitude structure and function: Dimensionality of attitudes; attitude
strength;
- Attitudes and behavior: moderating variables; the theory of reasoned
action / planned behavior; reasoned vs. automatic processes; past
behavior and habit; cognitive dissonance and alternatives;
- Attitude change: group dynamics/social influence and persuasion;
historical perspective; the Hovland Paradigm; reception and yielding;
Self-persuasion theories; the elaboration likelihood model; the heuristicsystematic
model; persistence of attitudes over time and resistance of
attitudes to counter-persuasion.
Sustainable Development Goals 2030
Good health and wellbeing, gender equality, reduced inequalities