Qualities and Implications of Political Attitude
The qualities and implications of political attitude can be broadly categorized as follows:
Qualities:
Consistency: Political attitudes are consistent with an individual’s beliefs and values about political issues and
policies. They reflect an individual’s political principles and ideological standards.
Diversity: Political attitudes are diverse and can vary across individuals, political parties, and cultures.
Fluidity: Political attitudes can be fluid and can change over time, influenced by personal experiences and societal developments.
Subjectivity: Political attitudes are subjective and can be influenced by personal biases and beliefs.
Impact: Political attitudes can have a significant impact on an individual’s political behavior, including voting patterns, political activism, and engagement with political institutions.
Implications:
Decision-making: Political attitudes play an important role in an individual’s decision-making process related to political activities and engagement.
Public opinion: Political attitudes can shape public opinion on political matters, influencing how individuals perceive and respond to political events and developments.
Political discourse: Political attitudes can contribute to political discourse and debates, shaping the direction and focus of political discussions.
Political polarization: Political attitudes can contribute to political polarization and division within society, particularly when individuals hold extreme or divergent views.
Policy outcomes: Political attitudes can influence policy outcomes, particularly when individuals with similar
attitudes work together to promote and implement specific policies.
Persuasion and Social Influence
| Persuasion | Social Influence | |
| Definition | The act of attempting to change someone's beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors through communication |
The process by which people conform to the beliefs or behaviors of others |
| Purpose | To change someone's beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors |
To adapt one's beliefs or behaviors to match those of others |
| Focus | Individual | Group |
| Nature | Deliberate and intentional | Unintentional or implicit |
| Types | Central and peripheral routes | Normative and informational influence |
| Source | Typically comes from an external source, such as a persuasive message |
Can come from any member of the group |
| Outcome | Changes in attitudes or behaviors | Conformity to group norms |
| Motivation | Motivated by a desire to change the target's attitudes or behaviors |
Motivated by a desire for social acceptance or a need to fit in |
| Timing | Can occur before or after the behavior or attitude is formed |
Occurs after the behavior or attitude is formed |
| Examples | Advertising, political campaigns, sales pitches |
Peer pressure, social norms, cultural |
