ATTITUDE ALIGNMENT AMONG COUPLES IN THE FACE OF BELONGING THREAT

The present research sought to expand upon previous research demonstrating that individuals shift their attitudes to match the attitudes of their romantic partner. This research examined whether attitude alignment is influenced, in part, by belonging threats. Participants reported their attitudes about social issues and were randomly assigned to receive a belonging threat (or acceptance) in the form of feedback about their future relationships prior to discussing issues about which they disagreed with their partner. Partners discussed issues that were central to self - peripheral to partner and peripheral to self - central to partner. Attitude alignment was measured following discussion and at a one-week follow-up. Attitude alignment was expected to vary as a function of belonging threat, centrality of issue, and strength of unit relationship. Results did not support hypotheses, but did reveal noteworthy points to be considered for future work in this area.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Year dc:date.available

2011

Author dc:creator

• Reid, Chelsea

Contributors dc:contributor

• Jeffrey Green

• Attitude Alignment
• Belonging
• Psychology
• Social and Behavioral Sciences

Statement dc:rights

• © The Author

Identifier

https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/208

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarscompass.vcu.edu:etd-1207