Keywords
Elaboration
Attitude change
Persuasion Cambio indirecto
Elaboración
Cambio de actitudes
Persuasión
How to Cite
Abstract
Background: Indirect attitude change effect occurs when a change in attitudes toward an object (i.e., focal attitude) is accompanied by a change in attitudes toward other related objects (i.e., distal attitude). The current research examines to what extent the amount of thinking (elaboration) involved in changing focal attitudes can moderate this indirect change effect. We expect that indirect change will be more likely to occur under high elaboration conditions (i.e., elaboration-indirect change effect). Method: Across two studies, participants’ thought valence toward a healthy diet (Study 1) and toward coffee (Study 2) was manipulated to be positive or negative. The amount of elaboration accompanying the thought generation tasks was either measured (Study 1) or manipulated (Study 2). Finally, focal and distal attitudes were assessed in both studies to test the proposed elaboration-indirect change effect. Results: Focal attitudes were generally associated with distal attitudes. More importantly, the amount of thinking moderated
this effect, with increased elaboration leading to more indirect change from focal to distal attitudes. Conclusions: Elaboration moderates indirect attitude change.
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