Explicit attitudes

Definition

Explicit attitudes are conscious beliefs and evaluations that individuals openly express and can easily articulate. These attitudes are formed through direct experiences, social learning, and are influenced by personal values and societal norms. They play a significant role in how individuals respond to different situations and can be measured through self-report surveys and questionnaires.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Explicit attitudes are typically assessed using direct measures such as Likert scales, which ask respondents to rate their level of agreement with various statements.
2. These attitudes can be influenced by factors such as cultural background, personal experiences, and media exposure.
3. Explicit attitudes tend to change more slowly over time compared to implicit attitudes, which can be more malleable and responsive to new information.
4. People are generally more aware of their explicit attitudes, allowing them to discuss and defend these beliefs in conversations or debates.
5. Explicit attitudes are often thought to predict deliberate behaviors better than implicit attitudes, as they align with an individual's conscious decision-making processes.

Review Questions

• How do explicit attitudes differ from implicit attitudes in terms of awareness and measurement?
  • Explicit attitudes are conscious beliefs that individuals can easily articulate, while implicit attitudes are automatic evaluations that operate at an unconscious level. Explicit attitudes are typically measured through direct methods like surveys or questionnaires where respondents actively report their feelings. In contrast, implicit attitudes are often assessed using indirect measures, such as reaction time tasks, which reveal underlying biases without requiring self-report.
• In what ways do social norms influence the formation of explicit attitudes among individuals within a community?
  • Social norms significantly shape explicit attitudes by establishing the accepted beliefs and behaviors within a particular group. As individuals seek to fit in or align with these norms, their explicit attitudes may be influenced by what is deemed appropriate or socially acceptable. This influence can lead to a reinforcement of certain views or create pressure to conform, thereby affecting how people openly express their beliefs.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of using explicit attitude measures compared to implicit attitude measures in predicting behavior in real-world situations.
  • Explicit attitude measures are generally more effective in predicting deliberate behaviors because they reflect conscious beliefs that individuals are aware of and willing to act upon. However, implicit attitude measures may capture underlying biases that influence behavior subconsciously, especially in situations where people may not want to reveal their true feelings. For comprehensive understanding, it's important to consider both types of measurements, as they can provide complementary insights into how attitudes translate into actual behavior across different contexts.

Related terms

Implicit attitudes: Implicit attitudes are automatic, unconscious evaluations that individuals may not be able to articulate, often revealed through indirect measures like reaction time tests.

Cognitive dissonance: Cognitive dissonance refers to the psychological discomfort experienced when an individual's explicit attitudes conflict with their behaviors or beliefs, leading to an effort to achieve consistency.

Social norms: Social norms are the accepted behaviors within a group or society that influence the formation of explicit attitudes by shaping what is considered appropriate or acceptable.