Attitude Structure and Function

Utilizing "e;new wave"e; research including new psychological theories, new statistical techniques, and a stronger methodology, this collection unites a diversity of recent research perspectives on attitudes and the psychological functions of an attitude. The objective of the editors was to bring together the bits and pieces of validated data into one systematic and adequate set of general principles leading to the view of attitudes as predictions. As the volume reformulates old concepts, explores new angles, and seeks a relationship among various sub-areas, it also shows improvements in the sophistication of research designs and methodologies, the specifications of variables, and the precision in defining concepts.

Contents: A.G. Greenwald, Why are Attitudes Important?. T.M. Ostrom, Interdependence of Attitude Theory and Measurement. W.J. McGuire, The Structure of Individual Attitudes and of Attitude Systems. A.R. Pratkanis, The Cognitive Representation of Attitudes. C.M. Judd, J.A. Krosnick, The Structural Bases of Consistency Among Political Attitudes: Effects of Political Expertise and Attitude Importance. P.E. Tetlock, Structure and Function in Political Belief Systems. R.H. Fazio, On the Power and Functionality of Attitudes: The Role of Attitude Accessibility. P.G. Devine, Automatic and Controlled Processes in Prejudice: The Role of Stereotypes and Personal Beliefs. D.L. Ronis, J.F. Yates, J.P. Kirscht, Attitudes, Decisions, and Habits as Determinants of Repeated Behavior. I. Ajzen, Attitude Structure and Behavior. J.T. Cacioppo, R.E. Petty, T.R. Geen, Attitude Structure and Function: From Tripartite to the Homeostasis Model of Attitude. S. Shavitt, Operationalizing Functional Theories of Attitude. M. Snyder, K.G. Debono, Understanding the Functions of Attitudes: Lessons From Personality and Social Behavior. R.P. Abelson, D.A. Prentice, Beliefs as Possessions: A Functional Analysis. D.W. Jamieson, M.P. Zanna, Need for Structure in Attitude Formation and Expression. S.J. Breckler, E.C. Wiggins, On Defining Attitude and Attitude Theory: Once More with Feeling. A.G. Greenwald, Why Attitudes are Important (Defining Attitude and Attitude Theory 20 Years Later).