Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Attitude change'

High levels of personal car use have negative effects on the environment and on human health. This thesis presents four empirical studies that aimed to develop our knowledge of personal travel choices, focussing on the malleability of attitudes and their sensitivity in relation to specific contexts and goals. The first study (Chapter 2) presents a systematic review and meta-analysis of mechanisms of travel mode choice. The study provides a comprehensive overview of antecedents of car use and non-car use, including sub-group analyses of different contextual factors. Results also highlight the need for standardised measures and consideration of implicit thought processes. The second study (Chapter 3) employs a repertory grid technique to elicit perceptions of seven different transport modes from high mileage car users and non-car users. Comparisons between car users and non-car users highlight potentially effective and ineffective intervention targets. Findings show how sustainable transport might be promoted amongst a portfolio of travel choices. The third study (Chapter 4) utilises qualitative methods to explore the extent to which individuals’ attitude expressions are changeable. The study demonstrates that all participants hold ambivalent and conflicting attitudes, highlighting specific situations in which those attitudes are more likely to be unstable. Two related priming experiments are presented in the final empirical chapter (Chapter 5). Both use survey methodology to investigate whether manipulating the salience of car-use-incongruent goals can lead to more positive attitudes towards and increased willingness to use non-car travel modes. The study confirms that people who are motivated to make changes are a potentially optimal target group for interventions based on subliminal messages. Overall, the research presented in this thesis introduces context sensitivity into the transport literature and offers novel insights into perceptions of a range of travel modes. Recommendations include relevant avenues for future research, findings are discussed in light of implications for transport policy and practice.

Group polarization is a phenomenon in which moderate attitudes or opinions espoused by a social group tend to become more extreme in the course of interactions and discussions within the group. Using a modified form of the group polarization paradigm, the present study examined the conditions under which group polarization or related phenomena may operate within correctional treatment or discussion groups to inadvertently foster the amplification of procriminal attitudes or beliefs. Inmates at a correctional treatment facility were assigned to small discussion groups on the basis of their pre-experimental scores on psychometric tests measuring either identification with the inmate code (High vs. Low Inmate Solidarity) or antisocial/prosocial personality traits (High vs. Low Criminality). Each group then engaged in brief discussions of (a) topics preselected to elicit or trigger categorizations along a prosocial-procriminal dimension ("prototypical" topics), and (b) neutral topics. Group-mediated attitudinal shifts were affected by both the type of group composition and by the discussion topic. Only homogeneous groups of High Inmate Solidarity subjects showed significant strengthening of procriminal attitudes and this was the case only for discussions of prototypical topics, not for neutral topics. All other group compositions tended to exhibit shifts toward the mid-point of the rating (i.e., more neutral or ambivalent post-discussion attitudes), regardless of the type of topic discussed. The results are interpreted as providing evidence for Self-Categorization Theory, which posits that group-mediated attitude change is a phenomenon of conformity to local ingroup norms--representing what group members perceive to be the group consensus--and factors influencing the salience of ingroup-outgroup categorizations or group identity. The clinical implications of these findings for correctional treatment groups and implications for future research are discussed.

Littering, giving blood, conserving energy, voter registration and wearing seatbelts serve as examples of public behaviours which governments have attempted to alter. Whether it be for purposes of controlling costs, helping other citizens, or protecting the environment, altering behavioural patterns which operate against the general well-being of society has become big business. A plethora of techniques have been employed in efforts to sway the activity patterns of people. While various approaches have been undertaken, the research focuses upon two traditions. First, an economic or behavioural approach is employed where behavioural changes are believed to be influenced most effectively by material rewards. Second, cognitive or attitudinal approaches stress that attitudes play an operative role in effecting behavioural change. Using shifts in daily patterns of energy use as an example of social behaviour, the research reported here contrasts cognitive and economic models. While the two approaches can be complementary, it also may be that under certain conditions one or the other model is most successful. Where the two models do contrast is in the predictions made about what behavioural change will result after the removal of economic incentives. Data from a large field-experiment using a multi-stage probability sample of nearly 700 Wisconsin households is analysed to examine the influence of cognitive and behavioural models of time-of-day energy usage. The objective of the experiment was to determine whether economic stimuli could be used to reduce peoples' use of peak-time energy consumption. Behavioural change in energy consumption patterns was measured by in-house meters which recorded all usage for a year prior to the introduction of special time-of-day rates; for three years while the rates were in effect; and for a sub-sample of households, the summer after the rates ended. In addition, three waves of survey data from mailed questionnaires administered prior to, during, and following the experiment allow monitoring of the development and change in attitude toward time-of-day pricing of electricity, and its influence on behaviour. In contrast to earlier published work, this analysis suggests only a minimal, independent impact of attitude on behavioural change under time-of-day electricity rates. At the conclusion of the experiment, and in the absence of any further financial rewards, households, by and large, returned to former consumption levels. Concomitant changes in attitudinal commitment occurred as well. Nevertheless, a subset of households, constituting some twenty percent of the original sample, remained highly committed to peak electricity reductions and, to a degree, maintained their prior conserving behaviours without further financial reward. Several analyses were performed in an attempt to reconcile the contradictory nature of the current findings with those of earlier research. It is argued that the apparent influence of attitude in affecting behaviour at the time the pricing incentive was in effect was exaggerated by householders substituting an attitudinal for a financial motive. Further, the influence of price on attitude formation may have been underestimated due to the curvilinear relation of price with behaviour. Evidence in support of each of these hypotheses is provided. It is concluded that, in combination with price, attitude is important to maintaining behavioural change, but that its independent influence, in this instance, is minor. At the same time, the effect of price appears less based on the size of the pricing incentive, than serving as an informational source signalling appropriate action, irrespective of the absolute financial reward. Finally, the thesis concludes with some speculations on the lessons from this experiment for other attempts to alter behavioural patterns.
Arts, Faculty of
Sociology, Department of
Graduate

The need for increased awareness, knowledge, and skills in lesbian and gay issues has been well documented (Athanases & Larrabee, 2003; Goldstein, 1997; Robinson & Ferfolja, 2001, 2002; Sears, 1992). While Stevenson (1988) noted that educational interventions could produce changes in participants' attitudes towards homosexuality, there is some indication that initial teacher training programs do not adequately prepare students to incorporate issues of difference into their pedagogical practices (Hatton, 2004). Empirical assessment of interventions designed to impact students' attitudes and beliefs concerning those who are lesbian or gay have produced inconsistent results. These inconsistencies were addressed by Buhrke, Ben-Ezra, Hurley, and Rupert (1992) who found a lack of theoretically based empirical examinations. Conceptualising heterosexuals' negative attitudes toward homosexuality as sexual prejudice rather than homophobia links the study of antigay hostility with the rich tra dition of social psychological research on prejudice. The contact hypothesis, originally formulated by Allport (1954), proposes that intergroup contact under optimal conditions can reduce negative attitudes toward out-groups. Optimal conditions include the opportunity for emotional involvement (Dividio et al. 2002). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the impact of cognitive versus experiential interventions on (would-be) student teachers attitudes towards homosexuality. Epstein's (1994) cognitive-experiential self-theory provides the theoretical background for this study. A pragmatic use of both quantitative and qualitative methodologies provided a deeper insight. Firstly, a quasi-experimental design was employed to examine the differential effects of rational versus experiential workshop interventions on attitudes towards homosexuality. A convenience sample of fifty-six participants were randomly allocated to one of two experimental groups, to take part in the experiential workshop or the rational workshop. A further convenience sample of twenty-eight participants were allocated to a control group. Massey's (2009) multidimensional measure of sexual prejudice was adapted and subsequently used to assess the attitude change across seven dimensions: Traditional Heterosexism; Aversion Towards Gay Men; Aversion Towards Gay Women; Denial of Continued Discrimination; Value Gay Progress; Resist Heteronormativity and; Positive Belief. Change score methodology was employed to analyse the changes in attitudes towards homosexuality across the three groups. Paired t-test statistics revealed a significant decrease in attitudes towards homosexuality for participants in the experiential intervention (t=6.108;p=0.001). A significant increase in attitudes towards homosexuality was found for the participants in the rational intervention (t= -2.458; p= 0.049) There was no significant difference found for the control group (t=-0.861; p=0.422). A qualitative phase was then added to provide collaborative data and give further insight into participants attitudes towards homosexuality. Thirty participants from the two experimental groups were randomly selected. Semi-structured interviews were conducted using stimulus scenarios to elicit a response. Twenty of the interviews were randomly selected and transcribed.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Miami University, Dept. of Psychology, 2005.
Title from second page of PDF document. Document formatted into pages; contains [2], vi, 113 p. : ill. Includes bibliographical references (p. 83-87).

Background: In today’s fast-moving society organizational changes have become absolutely essential for long-lasting success. A great challenge is to create the internal support for change projects among the employees in order to avoid failure. The underlying problem to this study focuses on the perception towards change under the aspect of a new generation which more and more represents today's workforce.  Research Question: Are there relations between distinct characteristics of Generation Y and their attitude towards change and does this result in new approaches for practical implementations? Purpose:         The purpose of this study is to scrutinize typical characteristics of Generation Y and find out if they influence their attitude (“Readiness for change”, “Commitment to change”, “Openness to change” and “Cynicism about change”) towards change projects. This enhances existing knowledge about the attitude towards change and how this interrelates with specific characteristics. The authors aim is to find out which characteristics can be identified as beneficial for change and how that can be useful for collocating successful change project teams.  Method:          A qualitative research method with an abductive approach was used in this study. The authors were conducting two phases of qualitative interviews. The first interview phase composed of eight respondents with distinct expertise in change projects and the second phase composed of nine (three respondents each from Generation Y, Generation X and Baby Boomers) interviews. The respondents had no specific knowledge in the field of change but experience in working with Generation Y which assisted to expose their specific characteristics. Theoretical Framework:   The underlying theories consist of employees’ general attitude towards organizational change as well as the distinct characteristics of Generation Y. For a more practice-oriented evaluation of the implementation of organizational change, the theory about change project teams is presented as well.   Findings:       The study revealed that members of Generation Y are well equipped with a set of distinct characteristics that positively influence their attitude towards organizational change. Characteristics like “Informationalization”, “High level of education”, “High level of flexibility”, “Critical Thinking” and “Globality” were evaluated as having positive effects on their “Openness to Change”, “Readiness for Change”, “Commitment to Change”, and “Cynicism about Change”. Furthermore, those findings enhance existing selection processes when it comes to the collocation of change projects teams.

Software forms around a requirement. Defining this requirement is often regarded as the hardest part of software engineering. The requirement however has an additional complexity as, once defined, it will change with time. This change of requirement can come either from the user, or from the rapid advances in 'computer' technology. How then can software succeed to continue to remain 'current' both in terms of requirements and technology in this forever changing environment? This thesis examines the issues surrounding 'change' as applied to software and software engineering. Changing requirements are often deemed a 'curse' placed upon software engineers. It has been suggested, however, that the problems associated with change exist only in the attitude of software engineers. This is perhaps understandable considering the training methods and tools available to supposedly 'help' them. The evidence shows that quality of management and experience of personnel involved in development contribute more significantly to the success of a development project than any technical aspect. This unfortunately means that the process is highly susceptible to staff turnover which, if uncontrolled, can lead to pending disaster for the users. This suggests a 'better' system would be developed if 'experience' was maintained at a process level, rather that at an individual level. Conventional methods of software engineering are based upon a defined set of requirements which are determined at the beginning of the software process. This thesis presents an alternative paradigm which requires only a minimal set of requirements at the outset and actively encourages changes and additional requirements, even with a mature software product. The basis of this alternative approach is the fonn of the 'requirements specification' and the capturing and re-use of the 'experience' maintained by the software process itself.

The aim of the study was to analyze the relationship between attitude and resistance to organizational change in mineworkers. An associative transversal strategy of natural groups design was used. The following instruments were administered: the scale of attitudes towards change (EAC), the scale of resistance to change (ERC) and a survey to collect sociodemographic data. 251 workers participated, mostly men. The results indicate a favorable attitude toward organizational change, and a medium/moderate level of resistance. Significant differences in scores of ERC and EAC according to the work task were found. Labor hierarchy generates a modest effect on differences in factors associated with responsibility and the attitude of cynicism to change. With respect to age, workers older than 51 years of age scored lower than the lowest ranks in the dimension of fearful attitude towards change.
El objetivo del estudio fue analizar la relación entre la actitud y resistencia al cambio organizacional en trabajadores mineros. Se utilizó una estrategia asociativa de tipo transversal de diseño de grupos naturales y la escala de actitudes hacia el cambio (EAC), la escala de la resistencia al cambio (ERC); y una encuesta para recabar datos sociodemográficos. Participaron 251 trabajadores. Los resultados indican una actitud favorable hacia el cambio organizacional, y un nivel medio/moderado de resistencia. Se presentan diferencias significativas en las puntuaciones de la ERC y la EAC en función de la faena laboral. La jerarquía laboral genera un efecto moderado en las diferencias de los factores asociados a la responsabilidad y la actitud de cinismo al cambio. Con relación a la edad, los trabajadores mayores de 51 años puntúan más bajo que los rangos menores en la dimensión actitud de temor hacia el cambio.
L’objectif de l’étude était d’analyser la relation entre l’attitude et la résistance au changement organisationnel chez les travailleurs miniers. Nous avons utilisé une stratégie associative de conception transversale des groupes naturels et l’échelle des attitudes envers le changement (EAC), l’échelle de la résistance au changement (ERC); et une enquête pour collecter des données sociodémographiques. 251 travailleurs ont participé. Les résultats indiquent une attitude favorable envers le changement organisationnel et un niveau de résistance moyen / modéré. Il existe des différences significatives dans les scores de l’EAC et de l’ERC en fonction de la journée de travail. La hiérarchie du travail génère un effet modéré dans les différences des facteurs associés à la responsabilité et l’attitude du cynisme à changer. En ce qui concerne l’âge, les travailleurs de plus de 51 ans obtiennent des scores inférieurs à ceux des groupes d’âge inférieurs dans l’attitude de peur face au changement.
Atitude e resistência à mudança organizacional em trabalhadores de mineração O objetivo do estudo foi analizar a relação entre a ação e a resistência ao cambio organiza- çional em mineiros. Utilizou-se uma estratégia asociativa de tipo transversal de planejamento de grupos naturais midimdo-se con uma escada de atitudes ao cambio (EAC), a escada da resistência ao cambio (ERC); e uma pesquisa para coletar dados socio-demográficos. Participaram 251 trabalhadores. Os resultados indicam uma atitude favorável para o cambio organizacional e um nível médio / moderado de resistência. Foram apresentadas diferenças significativas na classificação da ERC e da EAC em função da categoría do trabalho feito. A hierarquia laboral gera um efeito moderado nas diferenças dos fatores associados à responsabilidade e à atitude de cinismo ao cambio. Con relação a idade, os trabalhadores maiores de 51 anhos tiveron uma contagem superior aos das faixas etáreas menores na dimensão da atitude de temor para o cambio.

Corporations are increasingly communicating about controversial social issues, including gun control, LGBT rights, confederate flag use, and immigration policies. The purpose of this dissertation was to understand how this corporate communication affects society members in two main ways: First, this study investigated how corporate communication on controversial social issues changes individuals? attitudes toward the controversial social issue. Second, this study investigated how corporate communication on controversial social issues affected how confident individuals were that their attitudes toward the controversial social issue were correct. Additional influencing factors were explored, including the perceived fit between a corporation?s business and the controversial social issue it was advocating for (advocacy fit), the perceived credibility of the corporation (corporate credibility), the amount of agreement other corporations shared with the corporate statement (bandwagon heuristic), and how relevant an issue was to one?s goals, values, and impressions (involvement). A fully crossed 2 (advocacy fit: low, high) x 2 (corporate credibility: low, high) x 2 (bandwagon heuristic: low, high) x 2 (position advocated: for, against) factorial design was used. Participants (N = 677) read a description of a corporation with low or high credibility, a statement from a corporation on a controversial social issue (for/against gun control, for/against transgender rights), and a statement that told participants most corporations were highly favorable (or unfavorable) to the corporation?s statement on the controversial social issue. Findings indicate differences in attitude change and attitude certainty depending on (a) each participant?s degree of involvement with the social issue and (b) how a corporation communicates about the social issue. The fit of an issue mattered for both attitude change and attitude certainty, but only for issues that were relevant to one?s personal goals and personal values. Having a large number of corporations agree with the corporate statement mattered only for attitude change, and only when the issue was relevant to one?s personal goals. Corporate credibility did not have any significant impact on the whether individuals changed their attitudes or became more confident in their attitudes. These findings are discussed, and limitations, practical implications, future research, and concluding remarks are also described.

Applied research project (D. Min.)--School of Theology and Missions, Oral Roberts University, 2005.
Includes abstract and vita. Translated from Korean. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 179-183).

Although attitudes toward stigmatised groups are difficult to change, education programs and opportunities that promote direct contact with people who have experienced mental illness have demonstrated success in increasing mental health literacy and reducing stigma surrounding mental illness. The present study examined the effectiveness of a mental illness education program directed at adolescents and the factors influencing its impact. A sample of 694 students (251 males, 443 females), aged between 11 and 19 years, across 13 public and private high schools and colleges throughout the ACT was obtained. Students completed self-report questionnaires relating to stigma, mental health knowledge and help-seeking intentions before and after participating in the education program and their results were compared with a control group. Students participating in the program also completed measures of empathic concern and affect immediately following the program. Results indicated the program was effective in decreasing stigma and increasing knowledge and intentions to seek help. The impact of knowledge, empathy, affect, and similarity to program presenters, on program outcomes was also examined. While the results showed that the combination of contact and education was effective in promoting attitude change, suggestions for improving the impact of the program are discussed.

This study was conducted to assess what type of intervention is most effective for enhancing attitudes in college students toward people living with HIV and AIDS. The assigned groups consisted of either a live presentation or a video presentation emphasizing content that was either emotional or factual. A male HIV-positive speaker made a presentation to participants in the four experimental conditions. The AIDS Compassion and Empathy Scale (ACE) developed by Pollard (1997) to measure attitudes of college students toward people living with HIV and AIDS, was administered. The AIDS Phobia Scale developed by Pleck (1998) was used as the second measure. ANOVAs were performed to determine any significant differences between groups. It was hypothesized that a live presentation would enhance attitudes more than a video presentation and that emotional content would enhance attitudes more than factual content. It was also hypothesized that a live presentation with an emotional theme would be more effective (the ACE and AIDS Phobia Scale scores being significantly higher) for attitude enhancement than the other three groups. Results of the study showed that a live presentation was most effective for improving attitudes toward individuals living with HIV and AIDS versus a video presentation. Contrary to what was predicted, emotional versus factual presentation had no significant effect.

A trait-based impression formation task was used to investigate whether inconsistency discounting is one of the cognitive processes that produce self-generated attitude polarization. Three predictions were made. First, attitude polarization would increase as opportunity for thought increased. Second, inconsistency discounting would also increase as opportunity for thought increased. Third, the relationship between discounting and opportunity for thought would differ with individual differences in need for closure, need for structure, and intolerance of ambiguity. The results did not support the predictions. In contrast with the findings of previous self-generated attitude change investigations, differential opportunity for thought did not affect attitude change. Explanations for the results and directions for future research are discussed.

In the field of gender based violence prevention more and more emphasis is being put on preventative efforts through attitude change. This study is the result of a minor field study in Rwanda and analyzes the mechanisms that are present during the process of attitude change. The purpose of this study is to isolate the mechanisms within this process. The study applies feminist theory and process tracing though elite interviewing. The analysis is built on 14 interviews with field officers working for the organization Rwanda Men's Resource Center as instructors on a gender based violence prevention program. It was found that attitude change is more likely when participants feel equal and not threatened, as well as when they were able to draw their own conclusions and be agents of their own ideas. Furthermore, when exposed to new ideas concretely through their personal relationship with a trainer, to their spouses, and through take-home exercises, participants gained new insights. To be successful the program required a long term commitment to the subject at hand. Ultimately, this signals that attitude change is a long and continuous process- of which lasting results can be achieved through continued reinforcement.

This dissertation emphasizes the importance of the human factor in the organizational change process. Change - the only constant - is inevitable for organizations and no change program can be achieved without the support and acceptance of organization members. In this context, this study identifies officer attitudes toward organizational change in the Turkish National Police (TNP) and the factors affecting those attitudes. The Officer Attitude Model created by the researcher includes six main factors (receptivity to change, readiness for change, trust in management, commitment to organization, communication of change, and training for change) and five background factors (gender, age, rank, level of education, and work experience) to explain officer attitudes toward change. In order to test this model, an officer attitude survey was administered in Turkey among TNP members and the results of the gathered data validated this model.

Would you like a stranger more who shifts his/her attitudes to more closely align with yours? How would you feel if he/she aligned with everyone as opposed to just you? In Experiment 1, participants discussed with a partner disagreed upon social issues and received false feedback about whether the partner engaged in attitude alignment (shifted his/her attitude toward the participant’s attitude) following discussion. Participants also received false feedback about proportion of similarity (25%, 50%, or 75%) to the partner. Participants reported greater attraction toward partners who engaged in attitude alignment and who were more similar. However, similarity only predicted attraction in the absence of attitude alignment. Additionally, partner attitude alignment led to participant attitude alignment, and perceived reasoning ability marginally mediated the attitude alignment-attraction relationship. Similar to Experiment 1, participants in Experiment 2 received attitude alignment feedback, but they also received feedback about whether the partner engaged in attitude alignment with no others besides the participant (selective) or with many others besides the participant (unselective). Participants reported greater attraction toward partners who engaged in attitude alignment with them regardless of the partners’ attitude alignment with others. Perceived reasoning ability again mediated the attitude alignment-attraction relationship, and appeared to be more important in explaining this relation than cognitive evaluation or inferred attraction. Finally, participants reported greater trust and respect for partners who engaged in attitude alignment, but were no more willing to help those partners. This work extends our understanding of attitude alignment and its potential to affect interpersonal relationships, and it considers the influence of judgments about individuals outside of the dyad (i.e., alignment with others relative to alignment with the self).

Psychology
Ph.D.
Flexion and extension arm actions have been studied with regard to whether and in what way(s) they are associated with attitudes. In this paper, I report the results of three experiments in which I investigated the valence of the attitude objects, the meaningfulness of the attitude objects, and the repetition of the arm action as factors that might influence the relation between flexion and extension arm actions and attitudes. In Experiment 1, I tested the influence of flexion and extension on attitude formation with novel, meaningless, but valenced, stimuli (Chinese characters). I predicted an Action x Stimulus Valence interaction such that both arm flexion and arm extension would result in higher pleasantness ratings of Chinese characters, when they were paired with positive and negative stimuli, respectively. Rather than the hypothesized interaction, I observed only a main effect for Stimulus Valence: positive characters were rated as more pleasant than were negative characters. In Experiment 2, I tested the influence of flexion and extension on attitude change with familiar, meaningful, valenced stimuli (foods). I predicted a main effect for Action, such that arm flexion would result in higher pleasantness ratings than would arm extension, regardless of Stimulus Valence, I also predicted a main effect of Stimulus Valence, such that positive foods would be rated as more pleasant than negative foods. Again, I observed only a main effect for Stimulus Valence in the predicted direction. In Experiment 3, I examined the influence of arm actions on attitudes over time using novel, meaningful, valenced stimuli (faces). I predicted that attitudes, as measured by an IAT, would be less biased for participants who repeatedly practiced responding to negative stimuli with a flexing action, compared to those of participants who repeatedly practiced responding to negative stimuli with an extending action. This prediction was weakly supported.
Temple University--Theses

A government-funded scheme, the UK Climate Change Communications Initiative (UKCCCI), provided money for organisations to deliver projects that attempted to impact positively on people’s attitudes towards climate change and to increase knowledge and awareness of the issue. This devolution of communications is a relatively novel approach after previous centralised campaigns. This thesis adopts a mixed-method approach; a qualitative and a quantitative study have been conducted based on three case studies of individual projects funded under the UKCCCI. The quantitative study analyses pre- and post-project surveys to assess whether the communications produced the desired changes in attitude, knowledge and awareness; results are generally mixed in relation to all three case studies as some statistics are more positive after communications, whereas some are less positive. Data from a regional UKCCCI project are compared with a nationally representative dataset; this analysis shows that attitudes, knowledge and awareness differ at regional and national scales, supporting the policy of devolving communications. Regional data are also analysed to see if there are differences between socio-demographic groups within a single target audience for communications; this analysis suggests that interventions must strike a balance between personalisation of information and the higher cost of targeting smaller groups with more specific material. The quantitative study uses conceptual content cognitive mapping (3CM) to discover the climate change-related knowledge of twenty subjects who received communications from two of the case study projects. Results suggest that people have knowledge of a wide range of issues related to climate change, but they do not possess a detailed scientific understanding. However, there is a high knowledge of how to mitigate climate change and this is expressed largely through individual actions and lifestyle choices. A template analysis was also conducted to discover what interviewees thought specifically about the communications and a range of practical recommendations are made for future projects. Implications are discussed in relation to future practical climate change communications projects, wider policy and academic research.

In this study, a comparison of the effectiveness of conceptual change oriented instruction with traditionally designed chemistry instruction and an investigation of the effect of gender difference were made on ninth grade students&rsquo
understanding of phases and phase changes concepts. In addition, the effects of these instructional methods on students&rsquo
attitudes toward chemistry as a school subject were compared. In this study 56 ninth grade students from two classes of a chemistry course instructed by the same teacher from Ankara Atatü
rk Anatolian Lycee in 2003-2004 educational year&rsquo
s first semester took part. The classes were randomly assigned as control and experimental groups. The experimental group was instructed by conceptual change oriented method with conceptual change texts supported by demonstration, whereas the control group was instructed by traditionally designed method over a period of three weeks. Both groups were administered to Phases and Phase Changes Achievement Test as pretest and posttest in order to assess students&rsquo
understanding of phases and phase changes concepts. Additionally, Science Process Skills Test was given before the treatment to measure students&rsquo
science process skills and Attitude Scale toward Chemistry as a School Subject was given after the treatment to determine their attitudes. The hypotheses were tested using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), paired samples t-test, and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results of this study indicated that conceptual change oriented instruction caused a significantly better understanding of phases and phase changes concepts
that males had fewer alternative conceptions than females on phases and phase changes
and that science process skills were strong predictors of understanding in phases and phase changes concepts. On the other hand, no significant difference between conceptual change oriented instruction and traditionally designed chemistry instruction
and no effect of gender difference on students&rsquo
attitudes toward chemistry as a school subject were found.

The process of persuasion, the changing of a person’s attitudes, has often been applied to health communications designed to promote healthy behavior. Manipulation of aspects of the persuasive message can influence persuasion and the likelihood of attitude change. For a long time, the existing persuasion research had yet to examine how different types of message framing and intervention targets directly and in interaction with one another act as predictors of health attitude change. Therefore, this thesis addressed this lapse using an online survey to assess participants’ attitude towards the health issue of hypertension after reading a health message. This health message was manipulated in how it framed the problems of high blood pressure and how it prescribed changes in behavior to have healthy blood pressure levels. It was hypothesized that negative message framing, the interrogative verb mood and a facilitation target would have greater influence over attitude and behavioral intention compared to their alternatives. The same pattern of results was expected for elaboration save for the hypothesis that an inhibition intervention target would result in greater elaboration than a facilitation target. This thesis may further the field of psychology’s understanding of persuasion as well as help create a better informed and healthier society.

This pre-test, post- test experiment examined the effects of mortality salience, frames of the military and military personnel, and regulatory focus on viewer attitudes toward the military, support for the military, and their perceptions of military personnelâ s criminal behavior. Participants viewed a short video clip from an episode of NCIS which contained either a sympathetic or non-sympathetic frame of the military and, in the treatment condition, a mortality salience reminder. Frame (sympathetic or non-sympathetic) had a significant effect on participant attitudes toward the military in the control condition when there was no mortality salience reminder present in the video clip. However, when participantsâ mortality was made salient, attitudes and support for the military did not change. Theoretical and practical implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Master of Arts

The current work is aimed at implementing some research areas within Political Psychology with theories and methodologies drawn from Social Cognition. Specifically, we have tried to depict a picture of impression formation and attitude change toward political candidates following two experimental routes. In the first session (Session A, Chapters 2, 3 and 4) the attention was focused on the analysis of the role of some communication strategies used in the political arena with a particular attention to the widespread use of negative messages against the opposing candidates (i.e., negative campaigns). The ample literature about this topic is still inconclusive (e.g., Lau et al. 1999, 2007), and it is not able to clearly indicate what are the likely consequences of negative political campaigns. The main purpose of this session was to go beyond this inconclusive condition taking into account some variables that may be the origin of the inconclusive results described in the literature. Chapter 2 (Study 1, 2, 3 and 4) was primarily focused on the likely consequences of negative messages on the perception of the source candidate. The obtained results clearly indicated the role of several variables in changing the likely consequences, such as: the specific type of negative messages used, the level of measurement (implicit vs. explicit), and the evaluated dimension of social judgment (competence vs. warmth, Fiske et al., 2002). Some negative campaigns may increase the competence ascribed to the source candidate but at the same time decrease the perceived sociability. Subsequently, in order to assess the actual efficacy of a negative message, the focus of attention moved to the analysis of the likely consequences on the perception of both the source candidate and of the opposing candidate. Moreover, despite the consequences described in the previous studies (Chapter 2) on perceived competence and warmth, the aim was to delineate a general affective evaluation, both implicit and explicit. For these reasons, in Study 5 (Chapter 3) we analyzed the effects of negative campaigns on the general evaluation toward both the involved politicians. Overall, results delineated negative consequences for both candidates, both at the implicit level and at the explicit level. The effects were discussed and interpreted at the light of dual system models (e.g., Gawronski & Bodenhausen, 2006). Finally, in Study 6 (Chapter 4) the aim was to analyze the consequences of another type of negative campaign: an attack against the electorate, and thus toward the participant. In this case, we analyzed the consequences on the modification of the degree of identification (implicit and explicit) with our own political group. Moreover, in this last study we investigated the likely influences of some personal features of the audience. Specifically, we took into account the polarization of pre-existing implicit attitudes toward own political group. Results indicated that people with well polarized pre-existing implicit attitudes were not influenced by the content of the negative campaigns. Conversely, those with weak pre-existing implicit attitudes were strongly affected by negative messages. Moreover, in those last participants after the manipulation there was dissociation between implicit and explicit consequences, interpreted as the outcomes of two different attitude systems (Gawronski & Bodenhausen, 2006). The second session of the current work (Session B, Chapter 5 and 6) focused on the investigation of some differences between the two most important political ideologies. Specifically, in Chapter 5 we examined some differences in the communication style between the two Italian coalitions, that may have an influence in persuasive routes. In a first study (1a and 1b) the focus was on the analysis of some grammatical features, such as syntactic complexity and linguistic wordiness: right-wing candidates are less prolix and use simpler sentences as compared to left-wing politicians. Then, the focus of attention moved to the analysis of the real use of negative campaigns: the left-wing is more likely to attack single candidates, whereas the right-wing is more likely to attack the opposite coalition in general (Study 2a). Finally, we analyzed the use of negative messages during the last US presidential race (Study 2b). In Chapter 6, because of the opposite consequences of negative campaigns on the two universal and fundamental dimensions of social judgment (competence vs. warmth, e.g. Fiske et al., 2002), we analyzed the ascription of these dimensions to left- vs. right-wing politicians. Results from Study 1 and 2 indicated that the relevance of these two dimensions changed on the basis of the political affiliation of the participants. Moreover, in general, a right-wing candidate is perceived as more competent than warm, the opposite for a left-wing candidate. Subsequently, Study 3 and 4 indicated that the described pattern of results may be detected also in some subtle qualities. Indeed, in line with the special agency bias (e.g., Chatterjee, 2002), people portrayed left-facing oriented (right from the observer point of view) are more likely described as right-wing candidates as compared to left-wing politicians. In the last part the obtained results were discussed highlighting two key concepts emerged from the current work. On the one hand, we stressed how important is the use of indirect measures in Political Psychology in order to detect implicit attitudes. On the other hand, we stressed the role of the two dimensions of social judgment, namely competence and warmth, in impression formation processes in the political field.
Questo lavoro è nato dall’obiettivo di implementare alcuni ambiti di studio di Psicologia Politica con la prospettiva e la metodologia della Social Cognition. Nello specifico si è cercato di delineare un quadro dei processi di formazione e cambiamento di atteggiamento nei confronti di candidati politici seguendo due percorsi sperimentali. Nella prima parte (Sessione A, capitoli 2, 3 e 4) l’interesse si è focalizzato sull’analisi del ruolo di alcune strategie comunicative usate nell’ambito politico con particolare attenzione ai sempre più diffusi messaggi di attacco nei confronti della controparte politica (campagne negative). La vasta letteratura sull’argomento presenta ancora dei risultati contradditori (e.g., Lau et al. 1999, 2007), e non è in grado di indicare chiaramente quali siano le possibili conseguenze di tale comunicazione. Obiettivo di questa sessione sperimentale è stato principalmente cercare di superare tale inconclusività individuando delle possibili variabili intervenienti che potrebbero esserne responsabili. Il Capitolo 2 (Studi 1, 2, 3 e 4) si è principalmente focalizzato sull’analisi delle conseguenze delle comunicazioni negative sulla percezione di chi le utilizza. I risultati hanno indicato l’importanza di diversi fattori nel diversificare le conseguenze; in particolare è stata evidenziata la necessità di distinguere tra diversi tipi di messaggi negativi, inoltre una dissociazione tra livello implicito ed esplicito di valutazione, nonché differenze legate alle specifiche dimensioni di giudizio sociale prese in considerazione (competenza vs. socievolezza). Certe campagne negative possono portare ad un aumento della competenza attribuita alla fonte, ma ad una contemporanea diminuzione della sua socievolezza percepita. In seguito, per stabilire l’effettiva efficacia di un messaggio di tipo negativo, l’attenzione si è spostata anche sull’analisi delle conseguenze non solo sul candidato fonte ma anche sul candidato attaccato. Inoltre, al di là degli effetti individuati dagli studi precedenti su competenza e socievolezza percepite, si è cercato di prendere in considerazione un indice di valutazione affettiva generale, sia implicita che esplicita. Per questi motivi, nello Studio 5 (Capitolo 3) sono stati analizzati gli effetti che le campagne negative possono avere su una valutazione generale di piacevolezza rispetto ai due candidati coinvolti. I risultati hanno evidenziato conseguenze negative per entrambi i candidati sia a livello implicito che esplicito, interpretate e discusse alla luce delle teorie dei sistemi duali di atteggiamento (e.g., Gawronski & Bodenhausen, 2006). Infine, nello Studio 6 (Capitolo 4) l’obiettivo è stato analizzare le conseguenze di un’altra tipologia di campagna negativa: un attacco nei confronti dell’elettorato e quindi un attacco rivolto al partecipante stesso. In questo caso sono state esaminate le conseguenze sulla modificazione del livello di identificazione (implicita ed esplicita) con il gruppo politico di appartenenza. Inoltre, in quest’ultimo studio sono state indagate eventuali modulazioni degli effetti dovute a caratteristiche proprie delle persone a cui sono diretti tali messaggi, nel caso specifico alla forza degli atteggiamenti impliciti pre-esistenti rispetto al proprio gruppo politico. Dallo studio è emerso che chi ha atteggiamenti impliciti pre-esistenti molto polarizzati non si lascia influenzare dalle campagne negative. Al contrario, coloro che presentano degli atteggiamenti impliciti pre-esistenti deboli sono fortemente influenzati dai messaggi negativi. Inoltre, questi stessi partecipanti hanno presentato una dissociazione tra conseguenze a livello implicito ed esplicito, spiegabili nuovamente come prodotti di due diversi sistemi di atteggiamento (Gawronski & Bodenhausen, 2006). Nella seconda parte di questo lavoro (Sessione B, capitoli 5 e 6) sono state prese in esame alcune differenze tra le due più diffuse ideologie politiche. In particolare nel Capitolo 5 sono state analizzate delle differenze comunicative tra le due coalizioni politiche italiane che possono avere un peso nei processi persuasivi. In un primo studio (1a e 1b) l’interesse si è focalizzato su caratteristiche puramente grammaticali, di complessità sintattica del discorso e di prolissità linguistica: i rappresentati del centro-destra sono meno prolissi e usano una strutturazione delle frasi meno complessa dei loro colleghi di centro-sinistra. Successivamente, il focus si è spostato sull’utilizzo delle campagne negative: il centro-sinistra sembra preferire un attacco nei confronti dei singoli candidati, mentre il centro-destra sembra preferire un attacco più generalizzato (Studio 2a). Infine, è stato analizzato l’utilizzo di strategie negative nelle recenti elezioni americane (Studio 2b). Nel sesto capitolo, visti gli effetti del tutto divergenti delle campagne negative sulle due dimensioni universali e fondamentali di giudizio sociale (competenza e socievolezza, e.g. Fiske et al., 2002), è stata analizzata l’attribuzione di tali dimensioni a candidati di centro-destra e di centro-sinistra. Dagli studi 1 e 2 è emerso che l’importanza delle due dimensioni varia in base all’affiliazione politica del rispondente; inoltre, in generale, un candidato del centro-destra viene descritto più competente che socievole, l’opposto per un candidato del centro-sinistra. Successivamente, dagli studi 3 e 4 si è dimostrato come questa differenza si rifletta e venga confermata anche da elementi più sottili. Infatti, in linea con il bias spaziale (e.g., Chatterjee, 2002), le persone ritratte con il viso rivolto verso la propria sinistra (destra dell’osservatore) vengono descritte come più probabili candidati del centro-destra piuttosto che del centro-sinistra. Nella parte conclusiva i risultati ottenuti sono stati discussi sottolineando due aspetti chiave emersi dal presente lavoro. Da un lato il vantaggio che può essere apportato dall’utilizzo di tecniche di indagine meno dirette nel campo della Psicologia Politica, in grado di tracciare gli atteggiamenti impliciti. Dall’altro, l’importanza delle due dimensioni di valutazione, ovvero competenza e socievolezza, nella formazione di impressioni nel dominio politico.

Teaching mathematics is now gaining more importance, as the new elementary mathematics school curriculum has been adapted to Turkish Educational System. One of the main goals of the curriculum reform is to increase elementary school students&rsquo
problem solving abilities in mathematics (Koç
, ISiksal &
Bulut
2007). In this study, the aim is to investigate the change in sixth grade students&rsquo
problem solving abilities, attitude towards problem solving and attitude toward mathematics after mathematics instruction based on Polya&rsquo
s problem solving steps. The sample of this study consisted of 53 sixth grade students from an elementary school in Istanbul. The participants consist of a class selected conveniently among all the sixth grade classes in the school. In these selected classes, mathematical problems are solved according to the Polya&rsquo
s problem solving steps by following different problem solution techniques during the semester.At the end of this study, the three main results were found: 1) Instruction based on Polya&rsquo
s step has significantly affected students&rsquo
problem solving abilities in a positive way, 2) students&rsquo
attitudes towards problem solving has changed in a positive way, 3) students&rsquo
attitudes towards mathematics is enhanced by the instruction based on Polya&rsquo
s problem solving steps.

This study explores the use of a multimedia survey instrument which includes an integrated treatment in the context of a one semester human sexuality course. The instrument was created to assess and affect student attitudes and to improve data collection and analysis options. A literature review on attitudes, attitude assessment, and applications of technology to the affective domain introduces the discussion. Developed by a team of three university researchers, the survey instrument was created as a stand-alone application using Macromedia Authorware® multimedia authoring system. The instrument was administered to 210 students in a university education technology laboratory via CD-ROM with data collected across the campus network to two remote servers. Due to problems within specific response sets, 21 users' responses were removed from the data set, leaving an N of 189 respondents in the analyzed data. The application was administered to the students twice, once early and once late in the semester. Each use included demographic data acquisition and two iterations of a 24-item survey instrument with audiovisual and reflective response treatment between them. There were also repines sections on truth of responses and evaluations of the multimedia instrument. The final interactions were opportunities for free text responses with no prompting on content. The four sets of responses to the 24-item survey comprised pretest/posttest data for six pairings of scores across time. The 24-item survey was explored for the effects of both the multimedia/reflective response treatment and of the human sexuality course on student attitudes. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences in scores among the four iterations of the survey. Further exploration indicated that there were some significant changes for specific survey items. This document examines the relationship among the elements of the survey and the free responses from the users for further illumination of the quantitative results. Five possible elements that may have affected the survey's outcome are considered in light of the respondents' text input. Themes that emerged from the free responses were identified and explored for possible improvements of multimedia applications for integrated information delivery and data gathering. Conclusions are discussed and suggestions are made for further study regarding the template on which the application under study was built and regarding other similar multimedia instruments. These include extensions into other disciplines and other types of delivery media. Because of the exploratory nature of this study, very little can be stated conclusively. The users' reactions to and engagement with the multimedia instrument in this context do suggest broader avenues for such applications. For the moment, this medium seems to present a useful range of options to designers and researchers.
Ph. D.

This research used a trait-based impression formation task to explore the effect of instructional set and opportunity for thought on inconsistency discounting. It was predicted that attitude polarization would be attenuated, regardless of opportunity for thought, when discounting incongruent information was difficult. When discounting incongruent information was easy, attitude polarization was expected to increase as opportunity for thought increased. The relationship between discounting and opportunity for thought was expected to be accentuated when individuals are low in tolerance for ambiguity. The results did not support these predictions. Explanations for the results are discussed and directions for future research are proposed.

This thesis reports on a qualitative research study that investigated adolescent students‟ experiences of positive attitude change to school. The literature review situates the research of students‟ attitude changes to school within the affective component of the multidimensional construct of student engagement and identifies this field and the phenomenon of positive attitude change to school as underresearched and under-theorised. Narrative inquiry methodology was applied in order to provide a detailed description of students‟ lived experiences and generate knowledge to fill the existing gap of how such an experience manifests itself. Eight students, who self-reported to have experienced positive attitude change to school, shared stories through in-depth semi-structured interviews of how the attitude change came about, who or what influenced it, and what meaning they attached to it in relation to its impact on their engagement and wellbeing. Students‟ attitudes to school are predominantly examined through quantitative research, whereas this study provided a unique and nuanced insight into attitude change based on the qualitative paradigm and a social constructionist view of the experience from the students‟ vantage point. Students‟ narrative accounts are compared and contrasted with each other to identify five resonant threads associated with the experience of positive attitude change to school. Data analysis suggests that positive attitude change to school has a significant impact on student engagement in learning and student wellbeing through its embodiment of perceived positive emotions associated with being at school. It consequently illustrates the relevance of broadening the understanding of such an experience to address the critical issue of disengagement in adolescent students. Key findings indicate that students develop a negative attitude to school when personal problems remain unresolved or have been insufficiently addressed within the school environment; no “helping hand” was there to assist these ambitious students who were struggling to engage in learning due to their experience of negative emotions at school. This research study has revealed that a negative attitude to school does not necessarily equate to a negative attitude to learning. Students‟ perception of the available support, both from the teachers and the services offered at school, is a critical factor in the transformation of their attitudes to school. Further, the students who participated in this study did not themselves feel that they were equipped with the required knowledge and skills to manage their personal problems effectively in order to maintain their engagement in learning. Only after having “hit rock bottom” and having sought help from outside the school environment were the students able to apply a different perspective to their circumstances that was associated with positive attitude change to school. From this research study it can be concluded that a student‟s positive attitude to school is a requirement for successful social and academic outcomes, and it is an educational goal in itself regarding the notion of developing lifelong learners. Personal problems and their impact on student engagement and wellbeing need to be acknowledged and catered for within the school environment. School support services must proactively extend a helping hand to students who have a negative attitude to school. Further, students need to develop selfefficacy regarding their personal wellbeing so that they become confident to act autonomously in solving their situations at school that are characterised by the difficult negative emotions that they are experiencing. Students‟ attitudes to school and the complexity of the multidimensional construct of student engagement need to be considered in the development of initiatives to address adolescent student disengagement and in the development of student wellbeing frameworks.
Doctor of Philosophy

Gaming-simulations (G-S) are those in which participants play roles, make decisions and receive feedback while interacting with a simulation model. This study used attitude change to measure of G-S effectiveness in exploring questions relating simulation design and effectiveness. To define participant attitudes and the content for a simulation, the organizational culture of a software engineering firm was studied using an ethnographic approach. Inconsistencies between the existing culture and expressed ideals were measured using an 40 item attitude questionnaire drawn from statements made during interviews. Simulation structure and participant cognitive style were factors hypothesized to influence identification with a simulation role. Role identification was hypothesized to influence attitude change. Two versions of the simulation were designed to produce differential role identification. Role identification was measured by having the simulation software ask players questions near the end of the eight hour simulation class. The Davis (1980) Empathy scale was used to measure cognitive style. The WINNING AT DESIGN AUTOMATION gaming-simulation was created to induce attitude change toward the ideals. The simulation is written in HyperCard. Each participant managed a department, allocating their time to tasks that earned points as they competed in teams. A control group of 42 employees and 97 of the 122 who played the simulation completed pre- and post-simulation questionnaires. There was significant attitude change for all treatment groups. The different versions of the simulation did generate stronger and weaker role identification as predicted. The Empathy scale did predict role identification. The treatment group with highest role identification did not have the greatest attitude change. Other factors influencing the linkage of role identification to attitude change are discussed.

The purpose of this research was to determine whether The Computer Helpdesk vocational computing course, in conjunction with The Virtual Workplace simulation computer program, changed attitude about customer service. Thirty-seven adult female students at Fujairah Women's College of the Higher Colleges of Technology in the United Arab Emirates took part in the study. To assess possible attitude change, a combination of observation, interview and survey techniques were used. The Likert scale customer service attitude survey, which measured beliefs and perceptions about customer service, fanned the primary data gathering instrument. Qualitative and quantitative data were triangulated, and quantitative results were analysed using MANOVA. Results suggest strongly that the combination of the Computer Helpdesk course and the Virtual Workplace simulation program generally did not change attitude about customer service, however some degree or amount of attitude change in some subjects was detected.

Attitude is a very subjective quality, but has a great deal of influence on a classroom teaching and learning situation. This is especially true of a performance oriented class even when the main objective is not performance for performance sake. Attitudes can be affected by many variables but the one to be considered in this project is whether an effective grading system has positive affects on the students' attitudes. This study was implemented with a Junior High Band made students had played for at least one year or more. Due to ! up of both boys and girls, grades six through eight. These their attitude problem when I first arrived, I tried to deduce what seemed to be the problem. My purpose was to try various grading systems that would hold the students accountable for their actions as well as trying to improve their low self-esteem which in turn seemed to affect their attitude. The grading system was established at the beginning of school. Each quarter thereafter it was changed slightly in response to the students' attitudes. The majority of the students felt little or no consequence in relation to grades at the beginning of the school year, but as the grading system changed, performance quality and musical knowledge elevated, as did their self-esteem and their attitudes. Due to the research done with these students and comparing it to related research, I feel that we can safely say that attitudes are affected by many different variables, and, more importantly, they are all interrelated.

In this study we explored some of the factors associated with biased processing of attitude-relevant information. We were particularly interested in the possibility that a self-affirmation, by reducing self-evaluative concerns, might increase participants' willingness to impartially evaluate information that conflicts with their current views. We examined students' reactions to arguments about increasing tuition as a function of four factors: attitude importance, argument strength, the congruence of arguments with existing attitudes, and our experimental manipulation of affirmation. We found that affirmation reduced biased evaluation only for participants who rated the issue as important. We also found that affirmation dramatically impacted the perception of argument strength. Stronger counterattitudinal arguments were rejected by non-affirmed participants, who did not distinguish them from weak arguments, presumably because of the esteem threat posed by a strong ideological challenge. Affirmed participants, though, evaluated strong counterattitudinal arguments more positively.

Persuasive attitude changing games are a growing genre and a powerful tool when wanting to reach out and affect the opinion and attitude of larger groups in society. But how well do persuasive games actually work and can they be improved further? This article studies persuasive computer games and comes up with the proposal of using the Multiple Identification Theory, an established model for attitude change as a foundation for designing persuasive games. By analyzing every step of the MIT and translating it into the field of digital games, key concepts have been identified and proposed as guidelines for future development of persuasive games. In addition an analysis of existing persuasive games have been made, with the aim to study how well they meet the criteria of the MIT and determinate whether they could have improved by using it or not.