Lab Activity 32: The Cause-and-Effect Pattern

Chapter 7: More Thought Patterns
Lab Activity 32: The Cause-and-Effect Pattern

Objective:
To use transitions and the cause-and-effect pattern to see the relationships of details to the main idea.

Step 2: Read each passage, and then answer the questions that follow it.

The Communication. A clear, convincing, and logical argument is the most effective tool for changing attitudes—especially attitudes with a strong emotional dimension, such as those concerning capital punishment or abortion. This is especially true in Western culture, where appeals to logic and reason are more prevalent than in Japan, for example, where appeals to authority and tradition are common.

Communications that arouse fear are effective in motivating attitude change, especially when they focus on health issues and the communicator does not overdo the fear appeal. For example, think of some of the antismoking messages you've seen on television. What techniques do they use to induce fear? Fear works; in fact, research shows that negative information influences people more strongly than positive information.

If people hear a persuasive message often enough, they begin to believe it, regardless of its validity. Repeated exposure to certain situations can also change attitudes. For example, after seeing the numerous TV commercials that show the Engergizer battery outperforming another brand, a viewer may change his or her attitude toward the product from neutral to positive. Similarly, a name that is often heard is more likely to be viewed positively than in one heard infrequently; this is called the mere exposure effect.

—Lefton & Brannon, Psychology, 8th ed., pp. 445–446.

9. According to the paragraph, all of the following are effective tools of communication except

a. a message that is rarely repeated to keep it sounding new.

b. fear.

c. logical thinking.

d. a clearly stated message that is frequently repeated.

10. According to the paragraph, the mere exposure effect occurs when

a. a name is heard so often that consumers begin to view the product negatively.

b. a name is heard so often that consumers come to view it more positively than one heard infrequently.

c. a consumer is exposed to a name so much that he or she ignores the message.

d. a political candidate negatively criticizes his or her opponent.

The Medium. The means by which a communication is presented—its medium—influences people's receptiveness to attitude change. Today, one of the most common avenues for attempts at attitude change is the mass media, particularly television. After all, the goal of TV commercials is either to change or to reinforce people's behavior. Commercials exhort viewers to drink Pepsi instead of Coke, to say no to drugs, or to vote for a Democrat instead of a Republican. Research shows that TV advertising is one of the most influential media for changing attitudes in the Western world; this is not too surprising, given the fact that the television is on for more than 4 hours every day in the average American household.

Nevertheless, face-to-face communication often has more impact than communication through television or in writing. Thus, even though candidates for public office rely heavily on TV, radio, and printed ads, they also try to meet people face to face, sometimes taking bus or train tours to deliver their message directly to the people.

11. A key word in the first sentence of this paragraph that signals a cause-and-effect pattern is

a. communication.

b. medium.

c. people's.

d. influences.

12. According to the paragraph, what has the most persuasive effect?

a. television

b. radio

c. face-to-face contact

d. a well-designed Web site

13. Of the transition words in the paragraph, which indicates the cause-and-effect pattern?

a. instead of

b. nevertheless

c. thus

d. also

The Audience. From time to time, people actually want to have their attitudes changed and seek out alternative views. At other times, they fold their arms and firmly announce, "It's going to take an act of Congress to change my mind." Openness to attitude change is related in part to age and education. People are most susceptible to attitude change in their early years. People of high intelligence are less likely to have t heir opinions changed, and those who have high self-esteem tend to be similarly unyielding. A change is far more likely to occur if the person trying to change another's attitude is a friend.

14. Which is not a factor influencing a person's change in attitude?

a. gender

b. age

c. education

d. self-esteem

15. With which of the following statements would you agree?

a. People never want their attitudes changed.

b. People always want their attitudes changed if the alternative is a better one.

c. It's easy to convince people to change their attitudes if they have held the same one for a long time.

d. Sometimes people want to be persuaded to think differently.

Attitude change is complicated, and researchers have shown that a wide array of other variables are important as well. For example, attitude change is more likely when the targeted attitude is not too different from an existing one. It is also more likely when the audience in not highly committed to a particular point of view. But changing the attitudes of politically involved citizens is more difficult than altering those of non-involved citizens. Research also shows that people who positively anticipate a new idea or who feel that others around them are inclined to change their views are likely to exhibit attitude change. The extent of attitude change is even affected by prevalent attitudes in the particular region of the country. This effect was seen with the Gore-Bush recount: regional variations predicted voters' attitudes—Southern voters, being more conservative, tended to believe that the Florida vote count was accurate and no recount was needed. Northern voters tended to believe that the Florida vote count was biased and inaccurate.

16. What is the topic sentence of this paragraph?

a. "Attitude change is complicated, and researchers have shown that a wide array of other variables are important as well."

b. "For example, attitude change is more likely when the targeted attitude is not too different from an existing one."

c. "It is also more likely when the audience in not highly committed to a particular point of view."

d. "But changing the attitudes of politically involved citizens is more difficult than altering those of non-involved citizens."

Changing people's attitudes, and ultimately their behavior, can be difficult if they have well-established habits (which often come with advancing age) or are highly motivated in the direction opposite to the desired change. Consider attitudes toward smoking. Although most people generally believe in the serious health consequences of smoking, 25% of the people in the United States still smoke. Getting someone to stop smoking takes more than fostering positive attitudes about health; it also requires instilling a new habit and removing the old one. Education can be helpful, as can devices to help people remember not to smoke (such as warning buzzers or strings on fingers); nevertheless, because of its addictive properties, smoking is hard to stop.

—Lefton & Brannon, Psychology, 8th ed., p. 446.

17. What is the topic sentence of this paragraph?

a. "Changing people's attitudes, and ultimately their behavior, can be difficult if they have well-established habits (which often come with advancing age) or are highly motivated in the direction opposite to the desired change."

b. "Although most people generally believe in the serious health consequences of smoking, 25% of the people in the United States still smoke."

c. "Getting someone to stop smoking takes more than fostering positive attitudes about health; it also requires instilling a new habit and removing the old one."

d. "Education can be helpful, as can devices to help people remember not to smoke (such as warning buzzers or strings on fingers); nevertheless, because of its addictive properties, smoking is hard to stop."

18. This paragraph suggests that a person's attitude changes before their behaviors change.

a. True

b. False

19. A desire to become more healthy is the single most important factor to help a person quit smoking.

a. True

b. False

20. Which of the following cause-and-effect statements is true?

a. Education usually causes people to stop addictive behaviors.

b. Forming new habits is an important step to quitting an addictive behavior.

c. Quitting smoking is easy for a person above the age of 70 because he or she has become wise about the importance of good health.

d. The reason smokers don't stop smoking is that they don't understand the health consequences of continuing.