Psychology of Attitudes (311-CN-16)

Instructors

Jordan Daley

Meeting Info

Wieboldt Hall 517: Thurs 6:15PM - 9:15PM

Overview of class

Attitudes are an integral part of the social world. At the most basic level, attitudes represent our willingness to approach or avoid a certain object or idea. However, attitudes can also take far more complex forms. Society is becoming increasingly aware of the various forms that attitudes can take, and the important consequences that they can hold. In this course, we will situate a longstanding history of scholarship focusing on attitudes within the context of contemporary issues and implications. Specifically, we will consider a variety of basic questions, including: What are attitudes and what functions do they serve? Where do attitudes come from? Can attitudes be unconscious? Are attitudes generally logical and rational or are they emotional and irrational? How do our attitudes influence everyday life? Are there effective ways to change an attitude? We will seek to: a) understand the central role of attitudes in daily life (including your life), b) gain a broad familiarity with how attitudes can be and have been studied scientifically, c) apply course concepts to a topic of personal interest to you, and d) learn to interrogate, object to, or avoid circumstances where attitudes might impose a negative influence on you or those around you. Carries social science credit.

Registration Requirements

Prerequisite: PSYCH 110 or equivalent.