The phrase "ATTITUDE FORMATION" describes the transition we go through from not having any attitude toward something to having either a positive or negative ATTITUDE FORMATION toward it. The way you develop an attitude has a big impact on how you use it. According to social psychologists, exposure, education, social comparison, and heredity alone can shape attitudes.

 

 

 

1. Simple Exposure

 

Some ATTITUDE FORMATION may be shaped and created by what Zajonc (1968) referred to as "mere exposure," which refers to the idea that simply being exposed to a thing causes us to feel more positively about it. With a wide variety of stimuli, including foods, images, and words. And ad slogans, the mere exposure effect has been proven.

This generally suggests that familiarity does not necessarily engender contempt. The well-known names, concepts, and catchphrases become cozy old friends. Advertising frequently does quite well with these repeated exposures. A generation of smokers bought into the Marlboro man. Which was created to persuade male smokers that puffing on a filtered. A cigarette would improve their manliness.

 

According to research, the effect is most when it happens at random over time, and too many exposures weaken the effect. Continuous bombing is not particularly effective. Thus, when the stimuli are neutral or positive, repeated exposure enhances liking. If this is the case with the positive stimuli, it appears that ongoing exposure to an initially hated object will have the opposite effect with negative stimuli.

 

Negative emotions that a person may not even be aware of might become more intense with repeated exposure to the source of those emotions, which in turn can result in a belief system that supports those negative emotions. We are shaped by the sensations, ideas, and values that. We are exposed to ways that aren't always clear to us.

 

2. Social comparison and the formation of attitudes

 

In addition to social learning, there are additional. Ways by which attitudes are acquired. Social comparison is one such technique. We occasionally check our opinions with those of others to see if they agree, and if they are, we get the conclusion that our thoughts are correct. As a result, this approach to attitude creation is predicated on. The idea is that same views, the views must be right.

 

 

We frequently alter our attitudes as a result of this process and hold. Opinions that are more similar to those of others. Social comparison can sometimes lead to the development of new attitudes. Particularly if people feel free to express their opinions and show their admiration for and respect for them. In other words, our views are influenced by. The social knowledge we learn from others. Together with our desire to be like the individuals we respect or like.

 

 

3. The Genetic Contribution to Attitude Development

 

Theorists believed that learning was the only way through which. Attitudes could change throughout the history of the study of attitudes in general. Even though it is true that experience matters, current research suggests that many views. Including those regarding political and religious problems, also have an unlearned genetic component.