Key Topics in Attitudes and Persuasion

This book offers an accessible introduction to psychological theories of attitudes, attitude change, and persuasion. It explores questions of what attitudes are, how people form different attitudes, and how these attitudes can be changed. This book guides readers through five core sections that examine the essential properties and components of attitudes, key theoretical frameworks explaining attitude formation and change, methodologies for measuring and assessing attitudes, real-world applications across diverse domains, and cutting-edge research and emerging trends. It looks at how attitude theory can be applied to health behaviours, political decision-making, marketing strategies, and environmental sustainability initiatives. This book also presents valuable insights into recognising and defending against manipulative persuasion techniques, from propaganda to deception in the marketplace. By highlighting the profound influence attitudes exert on human behaviour, this book serves as essential reading for students of social psychology, applied psychology, sociology, political science, communication, marketing, and management. It will also be of interest to anyone interested in knowing more about the psychology behind persuasion and attitudes.