PSYC 860 Attitudes, Measurement, and Change

This course examines theory, research, and application in attitudes and change. Through use of evidence-based psychological measurements, research regarding the growing field of implicit attitudes, with the more traditional study of persuasion will be addressed. Additionally, new research on the effects of attitude and change, as is understood within the concept of humanity’s information processing and behavior will be explored.

The spectrum of humanity’s capacity to elicit and experience various attitudes is fairly limitless. Understanding the spectrum of attitude, how such is exhibited, the social impact of individual and communal attitude, and the neurological processes behind attitude are essential to recognizing how opinions, change, and motivation are created. This course will seek to explain how attitudes are established, the measurement of such, as well as how the processes of individual and societal change occur. This course will put major emphasis on the theory of attitude and research regarding reshaping the brain to elicit new attitudes, along with social and psychological evidence supporting the above claims. This course is designed to provide the student with research and theoretical tools for further understanding the created reality of humanity’s attitudes, as God has called each of us to be agents of redemptive change in our world today.

Textbook readings, articles and lecture presentations/notes

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (5)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. In each thread, the student is expected to provide one main thread that answers the question provided and two replies to classmates’ posts. Main threads must be at least 500 words, include at least two (2) references, and address the
subject of the prompt. Each reply must be 250 words. Citation of texts and/or articles is required in peer responses. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H)

Character Case Study Assignment

The Character Study Assignment requires the student to select one individual from the Bible and write a study on that individual’s attitudes and behaviors. This study should include a summary of the individual as discussed in the Bible, identification of themes and trends of the individual’s attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors, as well as an analysis of those attitudes based on current theories of attitude. This paper should be a minimum of 5-7 pages in length and must include a title page, abstract, and reference page. A minimum of three sources should be used within the paper, including textbooks, Scripture, and scholarly articles. All papers must have an APA title page and reference page. The title page and reference page do not count toward the total required page count. (CLO: B, E, G, H)

Attitudes and Emotions Narrated PowerPoint Assignment

The purpose of the narrated PowerPoint is to discuss the relationship between attitudes and emotions from research and a biblical worldview. The presentation should be 12-15 slides long and not exceed 20 minutes. It must be narrated, with a minimum of five sources, including textbooks, Scripture, and scholarly articles. Proper APA formatting in Professional Standards is expected (this can be found under Course Content > Course Syllabus and Assignment Instructions). (CLO: B, C, G, H)

The purpose of this paper is to research and discuss topics as they pertain to the class, while incorporating a Biblical worldview. The paper should be a minimum of 5-7 pages in length and must include a title page, abstract, and reference page. A minimum of five sources should be used within the paper, including textbooks, Scripture, and scholarly articles. Proper APA formatting in Professional Standards is expected (this can be found under Course Content > Course Syllabus and Assignment Instructions). (CLO: A, C, D, G, H)

The student will choose a classical or contemporary theory of attitude on which to write a 10-12 page paper. The paper will discuss the origin and foundations of the chosen theory and compare it to the fruit of the Spirit. The student will integrate a biblical perspective to reflect on the theory and discuss attitudes, emotions, and behavior. All papers must have an APA title page, abstract, and reference page. The title page, abstract, and reference page do not count toward the total required page count. (CLO: A, B, F, G, H)