Attitudes - cognitive representations of our evaluation of ourselves, other people, things, actions, events, ideas - and attitude change have been a central concern in social psychology since the discipline began. People can - and do - have attitudes on an infinite range of things but what are attitudes, how do we form them and how can they be modified? This book provides the student with a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the basic issues in the psychological study of attitudes. Drawing on research from Europe and the USA it presents up-to-date coverage of the key issues that will be encountered in this area, including attitude formation and change, functions of attitudes, attitude measurement, attitudes as temporary constructs, persuasion processes and prediction of behaviour from attitudes.

Table of Contents

Part 1. Basic Issues in Attitude Research. What is an Attitude and Why is it Important? The Measurement of Attitude. More Properties of Attitudes: Structure and Strength. Part 2. Where do Attitudes Come From? Nature and Nurture as Sources of Attitudes. Attitudes as Temporary Construals. Persuasion. Behaviour Influences on Attitudes. Part 3. Consequences of Attitudes. Attitude Influences on Information Processing. Attitude Influences on Behaviour.