Attitude Changes: The Catastrophe Theory of Attitudes and the Effect of Information and Relevance on Polarization

Authors

Sheri Marchik, University of Northern IowaFollow
Stephanie Koerselman, University of Northern IowaFollow
Olga Grigorieva, University of Northern Iowa
Aaron Garms, University of Northern Iowa
Lynn Nuzzo, University of Northern IowaFollow
Helen C. Harton, University of Northern IowaFollow

Document Type

Research Paper

Abstract

This study was designed to test the catastrophe theory of attitudes (Harton & Latane, 1997). Sixty undergraduates from the University of Northern Iowa gave their attitudes on the issue of senior comprehensive exams. Half the students believed the policy would affect them, whereas the other half believed it would not. Students either read arguments for or against senior comprehensive exams or read about the carbon cycle. Students were more positive towards senior comprehensive exams in the positive condition then in the negative and control conditions.

Publication Date

1998

Journal Title

Conference Proceedings: Undergraduate Social Science Research Conference

Volume

2

Issue

1

First Page

215

Last Page

218

Copyright

©1998 by the University of Northern Iowa

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

Publisher

University of Northern Iowa

City

Cedar Falls, IA

Recommended Citation

Marchik, Sheri; Koerselman, Stephanie; Grigorieva, Olga; Garms, Aaron; Nuzzo, Lynn; and Harton, Helen C. (1998) "Attitude Changes: The Catastrophe Theory of Attitudes and the Effect of Information and Relevance on Polarization," Conference Proceedings: Undergraduate Social Science Research Conference: Vol. 2: Iss. 1, Article 30.
Available at: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/csbsproceedings/vol2/iss1/30