The present work centers on associative attitude change via the recently discovered intersecting regularities (IR) mechanism as well as on the role of the self as an attitudinal source. We reviewed and tested the Self-Referencing (SR) task, an associative learning task where self-object links are operationalized through IR that occur at the level of the action required to categorize stimuli (i.e., pressing the same key for self-stimuli and one target versus pressing another key for other-stimuli and a contrast target). As a result, the target categorized through the same action as the self is better liked. The SR task is introduced by a single-lab meta-analysis that quantitatively summarizes its effectiveness in changing implicit and explicit attitudes (Chapter 1). After that is a series of fourteen empirical studies (N = 1856) articulated in five lines of research. We first focused on the role of the self in driving attitude change, by testing what properties possessed by self-related stimuli determine the SR effect (Chapter 2). Then we shifted to the IR mechanism and tested the possibility to exploit it to generate indirect SR effect by building complex chains of intersections between stimuli. In this series of studies we also looked at the impact of target stimuli similarity on the formation of relations between them, which is meant to affect the transfer of liking (Chapter 3). The other chapters tested the application of the SR task in real-life contexts, with a focus on the health domain. We looked at its effectiveness and strength in changing attitudes, identification and purchase intention towards eco-food products (Chapter 4). To bolster the potential of the SR task, in Chapter 5 we tried to use it in combination with a persuasive message to change attitudes and intentions towards green vegetables, in a population with initial negative inclination towards them. In chapter 6 we tested the SR on attitudes, attribution of properties and consumption of soft drinks in an innovative way that used negative self-stimuli (fattened versions of one’s face) to increase the relevance of threatening health messages. The discussion is organized around the advances in this field provided by these lines of research with a specific focus on the debate between the associative and propositional interpretation of attitude change via associative procedures.

Il presente lavoro affronta il tema del cambiamento di atteggiamento associativo attraverso il meccanismo recentemente scoperto dell’intersecting regularities (IR) e il ruolo del Sè come fonte di cambiamento di atteggiamento. Abbiamo analizzato e testato il Self-Referencing (SR) task, un compito di apprendimento associativo in cui legami tra il Sè e un oggetto sono operazionalizzati attraverso IR al livello dell’azione richiesta per categorizzare gli stimuli (premere lo stesso tasto per stimoli legati al Sè e un oggetto target contro premere un altro tasto per stimoli legati alla categoria Altri e un oggetto target di contrasto). A conseguenza di ciò, l’oggetto target categorizzato con la stessa azione del Sè è preferito. Il SR task è introdotto attraverso una single-lab meta-analisi, che riassume quantitativimente la sua efficacia nel cambiare atteggiamenti impliciti e espliciti (Capitolo 1). Segue una serie di quattordici studi empirici (N = 1856) articolati in cinque line di ricerca. In primis, ci siamo focalizzati sul ruolo del Sè nel determinare cambiamento di atteggiamento, testando quali proprietà degli stimoli legati al Sè determinano l’effetto SR (Capitolo 2). Siamo poi passati al meccanismo dell’IR, testando la possibilità di sfruttarlo per generare un effetto indiretto di SR costruendo complesse catene di intersezioni tra stimoli. In questa serie di studi abbiamo anche testato l’impatto della somiglianza tra stimoli target sulla formazione di relazione tra stimoli, che dovrebbe avere un effetto sul trasferimento di valenza (Capitolo 3). Gli altri capitoli hanno testato l’applicazione del SR task in contesti di vita quotidiana, con un focus sulla salute e sul cibo. Abbiamo testato la sua efficacia e forza nel cambiare atteggiamenti, identificazione e intenzione d’acquisto verso cibi ecologici (Capitolo 4). Per ampliare il potenziale applicativo the SR task, nel Capitolo 5 abbiamo provato a utilizzarlo in combinazione con un messaggio persuasivo per cambiare atteggiamenti e intenzioni verso verdure verdi, in una popolazione che mostrava atteggiamento negativo verso le stesse. Nel Capitolo 6 abbiamo testato il SR su atteggiamenti, attribuzione di proprietà e consumo di bevande gassate in una modalità innovative che usava stimuli legati al Sè negativo (versione ingrassata del proprio volto) per aumentare la rilevanza della minaccia contenuta nel messaggio salutare. La discussione è organizzata sui progressi in questo campo legati a queste specifiche line di ricerca con un focus sul dibattito tra interpretazione associativa e/o proposizionale del cambiamento di atteggiamento attraverso procedure associative.

(2017). Attitude formation and change via intersecting regularities: Peculiarities, boundaries, and practical applications of the Self-Referencing task.. (Tesi di dottorato, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, 2017).

Attitude formation and change via intersecting regularities: Peculiarities, boundaries, and practical applications of the Self-Referencing task.

MATTAVELLI, SIMONE
2017

Abstract

The present work centers on associative attitude change via the recently discovered intersecting regularities (IR) mechanism as well as on the role of the self as an attitudinal source. We reviewed and tested the Self-Referencing (SR) task, an associative learning task where self-object links are operationalized through IR that occur at the level of the action required to categorize stimuli (i.e., pressing the same key for self-stimuli and one target versus pressing another key for other-stimuli and a contrast target). As a result, the target categorized through the same action as the self is better liked. The SR task is introduced by a single-lab meta-analysis that quantitatively summarizes its effectiveness in changing implicit and explicit attitudes (Chapter 1). After that is a series of fourteen empirical studies (N = 1856) articulated in five lines of research. We first focused on the role of the self in driving attitude change, by testing what properties possessed by self-related stimuli determine the SR effect (Chapter 2). Then we shifted to the IR mechanism and tested the possibility to exploit it to generate indirect SR effect by building complex chains of intersections between stimuli. In this series of studies we also looked at the impact of target stimuli similarity on the formation of relations between them, which is meant to affect the transfer of liking (Chapter 3). The other chapters tested the application of the SR task in real-life contexts, with a focus on the health domain. We looked at its effectiveness and strength in changing attitudes, identification and purchase intention towards eco-food products (Chapter 4). To bolster the potential of the SR task, in Chapter 5 we tried to use it in combination with a persuasive message to change attitudes and intentions towards green vegetables, in a population with initial negative inclination towards them. In chapter 6 we tested the SR on attitudes, attribution of properties and consumption of soft drinks in an innovative way that used negative self-stimuli (fattened versions of one’s face) to increase the relevance of threatening health messages. The discussion is organized around the advances in this field provided by these lines of research with a specific focus on the debate between the associative and propositional interpretation of attitude change via associative procedures.
PERUGINI, MARCO
RICHETIN, JULIETTE
attitudes,; self,; intersecting; regularities,; self-referencing
attitudes,; self,; intersecting; regularities,; self-referencing
M-PSI/01 - PSICOLOGIA GENERALE
English
10-apr-2017
PSICOLOGIA, LINGUISTICA E NEUROSCIENZE COGNITIVE - 77R
29
2015/2016
open
(2017). Attitude formation and change via intersecting regularities: Peculiarities, boundaries, and practical applications of the Self-Referencing task.. (Tesi di dottorato, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, 2017).
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
phd_unimib_706202.pdf

Accesso Aperto

Descrizione: tesi di dottorato
Tipologia di allegato: Doctoral thesis
Dimensione 4.37 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
4.37 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/158171
Citazioni
  • Scopus ND
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
Social impact