Possible Problems with Attempting to Measure Attitudes
The question what problems might arise in trying to measure attitudes
itself conjures up many complicated questions that seem tricky to
answer. The complicated task is that we are all unique and have our
individual differences.
A basic assumption on measuring attitudes is that ‘a person’s attitude
can be measured by asking questions about thoughts, feelings and
likely actions toward the attitude object
(Hoff and Vaughan, 1995, Chapter 5)
From this assumption it is obvious that measuring attitudes is not
directly observable. Even if we think we know someone’s attitude this
does not mean we can predict their behaviour.
Measuring attitudes plays a large part in social psychology.
Techniques have been developed in order to measure attitudes.
“attitudes can be measured by a quantitative technique for example
each persons opinion can be represented by a numerical scale”
(Hoff and Vaughan, 1995, Chapter 5.)
One of the initiators of attitude measurement was L.L Thurstone, he
termed attitude measurement as “attitude is the intensity of positive
or negative affect for or against a psychological object” (1946, page
39, http://webspace.utexas.edu/brixey9/www/frame.html.)
This section of attitude measurement is extremely vast and there is
many aspects such as self reported test, indirect and
multiple-indictor tests, likert scales, thurstones scale of attitude
measurement and semantic differentials.
To measure the cognitive component of attitudes rating scales have
been developed. The first mayor and a popular technique off attitude
measurement was that of L.L Thurs...
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...nsequently sabotages the testing.
As noted before indirect testing has ethical problems, very exploitive
and deceptive.
Statistic is not going to calibrate peoples attitudes and beliefs
there are feeling that are un-measurable, empathy etc, when and how do
you distinguish all these things.
Further studies are definitely needed to improve the various methods
that are about today. Peoples attitudes control our everyday life and
it would be invaluable to accurately measure it.
References
Birch, A & Malim, T, (1998) “Introductory psychology, Hampshire,
Palgrave.
Cardwell et al, (1996) “Psychology for A Level”, London: Harper
Collins Publishers
Retrieved 24/11/2003, Attitude Measurement,
http://webspace.utexas.edu/brixey9/www/frame.html.
Hoff & Vaughan, (1995) Attitude Measurement, Chapter 4.
Both approaches suffer from potential bias; Adorno el al’s. F-scale may have had confirmatory bias, potentially causing a problem in which the interviewers know the results from the participant’s prior questionnaires, and subconsciously steer the results and findings towards a particular goal, causing a self-fulfilling prophecy. Although Altemeyer’s approach may not have involved interviews, the results could have still been biased, as acquiescence response bias could have occurred if the participants have a tendency to agree with statements presented in scales and succumb to social desirability
...sis, which could make all results invalid. With any research projects, limitations will be present. It is important to attempt to eliminate some of these causes in order to complete a thorough, accurate study. In future projects, this study could go about researching the issue in different ways. Perhaps using a larger sample size would be conducive for accurate results. A larger sample size helps reduce and even out any possible errors caused by those who do not answer truthfully. Also, keeping the surveys mainly anonymous would help to receive more truthful and accurate responses from participants. Participants may be fearful of judgments on open interviews or phone interviews, which could affect responses. In order to obtain as accurate results as possible, a future study would need to find ways to survey participants in a confidential way that feels comfortable.
The IAT (Implicit Associations Test) is a test designed by Harvard to prove that implicit associations exist, despite our personal desire to insist that they do not. Implicit associations are involuntary connotations of objects or concepts that we hold but may not be aware of. Therefore, implicit associations are created through socialization, which is a process in which an individual learns and recreates skills, knowledge, values, motives, and roles appropriate to their position or group in society. Social cognition is how we interpret and apply information about other people which can be modified by implicit associations, but can also determine implicit associations.
an implicit association test (IAT) measures the attitudes of the cognitive functions which determine judgment. The Implicit Association Test (Race) measures word associations between groups of people of certain race or ethnicity (e.g., European-American, African American) and the concepts of “good” and “bad”. The speed and ease with which an association is made is measured and taken as confirmation for an implicit bias or attitude or belief held for that social group. The IAT will help uncover any hidden prejudice and bring it to the forefront of consciousness to which children can become aware of their biases and possibly through cultural exposure be able to exhibit cultural acceptance (Benaji, M & Greenwald, 2013).
The man is chained to the desk, and a beaming light pierces his robin egg-colored eyes. The next thing he hears are muffled voices. The voices now become more clear, and then the first words become comprehensible,”We caught you”. The man then hangs his head in mortification. He was a world class criminal, and had never been snagged before, until now. He has no idea how they captured him. He had hacked into the police department's network and checked on their painfully slow, monotonous progression of their investigation into his previous offenses. Then he remembers the story he heard flash on to the news, “Police Department need to hire more Shrinks to help Reduce Crime.” He then had that moment that in the movies, lightbulb magically appears
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This weekend, I decided to amuse myself and take the Myers-Briggs personality test. Rooted in Jungian psychological theory and developed by Isabel Briggs Myers, the exam seeks to find consistency and order in seemingly random human human behavior through a four part personality dichotomy. These dichotomies stem from the fundamental differences in how individuals perceive and interact the world around them as well as their “inner self,” thus corresponding to variations in passions, values, ideologies, inspirational sources, and skills. The first division relates to our attitudes towards the inner and outer world as well as the source of their energy, with the two options being extraverted (outgoing, outspoken) or introverted (appreciates solitude,
In the article The Mindset of a Champion Carol Dweck explains how important the mindset of an athlete is. Dweck goes into great detail about the differences of a growth and fixed mindset and how it influences athletes and students, Dweck mentions some of the characteristics of someone with a fixed mindset and she does the same with someone with a growth mindset. Someone with a fixed mindset typically sees their abilities as a fixed trait, they also believe that talent is a gift you either have it or you don’t, in the contrary someone with a growth mindset usually believes that people can cultivate their abilities. Dweck also mentions how sometimes a person can hold one mindset about intelligence and another about sports. The central psychological concept of this article is how your mindset affects your motivation to excel in your sport or school work. In the article Dweck discusses a few experimental studies, she was a part of, in the first experiment she indicates her hypothesis: students with a fixed mindset were more likely to cheat or give up. Independent variable: a group of students given a test in a new subject. Dependent Variable: a group of students given a test in a subject they enjoy. they found that those with a fixed mindset were more likely to say that if they did poorly on a test, even if it were in a new course they would most likely study less or even cheat on the next test. This example, provides great proof of Dweck’s definition of a fixed mindset.
This essay will examine the strength of the link between attitudes and behaviour and show that attitudes do not always predict behaviour as there are a number of variables that need to be put in place before the evaluation of a person behaving according to their attitudes can be assessed. These variables will be discussed in some detail. The three component model will be discussed and also attitude formation will be touched upon, before the link between behaviour and attitude can be examined a general understanding of how and why attitudes are formed needs to be addressed.
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is a personality test derived from Jungian concepts. Carl Jung included certain concepts of psychological attitudes, such as introversion versus extraversion, and psychological functions, such as intuition versus sensing and thinking versus feeling. The test produced results on my personality that I can agree with, but the lack of options was a downfall for me. However, the MBTI helped me understand certain concepts discussed in class because my results represented such concepts. This includes Jungian ideas and reliability.
Attitudes are associated with specific individuals. One’s attitude is not necessarily regarded as collective attitude maintained in the particular society (Lieberman and Fredrick, 157). Each of the individuals affiliated with the social group can chose their won attitudes towards a particular individual or group in the particular social context. The cases of negative attitudes and discrimination in society more often than not prevail on the basis of racial differences. Hence, individuals’ attitudes in the perpetuation of discrimination and racial inequality have lowered significance in
What are attitudes? How are they formed, measured and changed? What degree of influence do they exert on behavior? What important effects does prejudice have on attitudes, and how is prejudice caused? These are all questions that are central to the study of social psychology and, by reviewing the findings of psychological research into these areas, this essay will attempt to provide a balanced explanation of the topic.
According to Webster dictionary, learning is an activity or a process of gaining knowledge or skill by studying, practicing, and being taught. As humans, we crave to learn about how we came about, our surrounding, and the role we play in our surroundings. To gain such knowledge, it is important to work on specific leaning goals that is tailored toward the person. In my case, the goal was having a better understanding about social factors and social circumstances.
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In neutral cultures, the propensity of the people is to manage their sentiments so that it will not hinder with their judgement.