Attitude Change and Persuasion

Attitude and Persuasion

Briefly discuss persuasion as an effortless cognitive process.

In cognitive psychology, change is the focus of all mental health officials in addressing the various issues that are impacting someone. To achieve this objective they are looking at: what the person thinks and is telling themselves mentally. Once this takes place, the patient will then begin to discuss how these issues are affecting them and the way that they are impacting their lives. The psychologist will then introduce, some kind of pattern interrupt to change the way they are thinking and viewing various events. This is accomplished is by: asking a series of different questions about the underlying meaning and its effect on their lives. This is designed to transform how the person is thinking by: forcing them to respond those thoughts that are affecting them. This is the point that the mental health professional can be able to: understand the root causes of the problem and how this is impacting the way the person sees the world around them. (Burns, 1992, pp. 53 -- 220)

The use of questions is powerful tool, because it is taking away the underlying emotions associated with how someone is looking a particular situation and what is affecting them. Next, the mental health professionals will begin to introduce alternative thoughts that can be used to improve their understanding of a particular situation. In this case, they will have them write these views down on separate piece of paper about: how the negative thoughts they are experiencing are influencing their behavior. This helps the person to see how this is hurting their quality of life. (Burns, 1992, pp. 53 -- 220)

Once this occurs, mental health professionals will then work with the patient to: write down more empowering thoughts and the way they can look at various situations they will encounter. This is creating a change in the way they are seeing these events and how they are responding to them. At which point, pattern interrupts are introduced to the individual, so that when they are having negative thoughts they can immediately begin to ask themselves more empowering questions. This is when they will change their behavior and the way they are responding to a host of different situations. These elements are important, because they are showing how subtle persuasion is an effective tool for helping to invite change in the individual. This is when the whole process will seem effortless in making a transition between: the negative and more empowering thoughts. (Burns, 1992, pp. 53 -- 220)

Using relevant examples, discuss the various active thought processes as mediators of attitude change in effortful persuasion.

One example of how mental health professionals will serve as mediators in change can be seen with someone who is suffering from tremendous amounts of rage. Where, they will often have frequent outbursts that will result in a deterioration of their overall quality of life. The way that this is accomplished is by is introducing pattern interruptions. That will help the individual to see how their negative thoughts are impacting their quality of life. As, they will alienate friends / family and they will frequently feel isolated based on: the underlying situation that is occurring in their lives. This is when the individual will see how this is affecting their relationships, which is contributing to even more pain in the future. At which point, the mental health professional will ask empowering questions. Once this takes place, is when the person will be motivated to change and use this technique to respond to a wide variety of situations that they are facing on a regular basis. This is important, because it is showing how the psychologist will serve as a mediator that is introducing subtle changes in an effortless manner. Once this occurs, is when the individual will have a greater sense of empowerment and control. As, they will understand: how they are contributing to the situation and what steps can be taken to address these underlying challenges in their lives. This is the point that they are motivated to deal with these issues by: seeing how these patterns are root causes of their problems. (Burns, 1992, 131 -- 198)

A second example is when the psychologist will begin to have the patient ask themselves questions that are contributing to their underlying levels of depression. Where, they will discuss what thoughts are affecting them in: having a reduced sense of self-worth and the way that this is impacting their quality of life. This is when the mental health professional and the patient will begin to see what are: the causes of their depression. At which point, a new series of questions can be introduced that the person can ask themselves about: how to change their thought process. This is accomplished by having the patient write down a series of different questions surrounding how this is influencing their actions. They will then, write down more empowering questions they can use and how this can change the way they are reacting to different events. Once this occurs, the mental health professional will have them to visualize the way they are using these questions to: change their mood and state of behavior. This is significant, because it is highlighting how the psychologist is serving as a mediator. That is introducing, alternative solutions to help the person change the way they feel about a particular situation. Once this takes place, is when these kinds of transformations will occur effortlessly. This is because the person will see how they are contributing to: their underlying situation and the way that they are affecting the quality of their own lives. At which point, they are more willing to embrace these changes to improve their quality of life and address the issues they are wrestling with. (Burns, 1992, pp. 381 -- 383)

Based on the two broad categories of persuasion / cognitive processing of information discussed above, provide at least three examples to show how you have been persuaded.

One example that is illustrating how I have been persuaded is based upon: political views that I embraced. As, someone will ask me a series of question by: placing me in a similar kind of situation affecting someone, who is supporting a view point that I am opposed to. This caused me to stop and reevaluate my thinking through: understanding their side of the argument. At which point, my underlying views about a particular subject shifted.

A second example occurred when I was younger and I use to always quarrel with people about various subjects. One day in school a teacher pointed out to me how no one wins an argument. Instead, it will lead to: you being isolated and alone because you do not have an understanding of friendship. This led me to question my thinking. At which point, they told me that when these kinds of incidents occur, I need to ask myself: what is the message that I am trying to send? If it is negative, then I should continue on the current path. However, if I want to feel important and respected I should begin to understand other peoples' opinions.