Theories of Attitude Change

Theories of attitude change explain how and why people's opinions or feelings about something can shift. Some theories suggest that persuasion occurs through logical arguments or new information (like convincing someone with facts). Others highlight emotional factors, such as feelings or associations influencing beliefs. Social influence theories emphasize the role of peer pressure or group norms, while cognitive dissonance theory suggests people change attitudes to reduce discomfort from conflicting thoughts. Overall, attitude change can result from new info, emotional appeals, social pressures, or a desire for internal consistency.