Course Description :

This course examines the theory, research, and application in attitudes and change. Through the 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.

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For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Rationale :

The spectrum of humanity’s capacity to elicit and experience various attitudes is fairly limitless. Understanding the spectrum of attitude, how much 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 is 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.

Measurable Learning Outcomes :

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Describe classic theories related to attitude and change.
2. Describe contemporary theories related to attitude and change.
3. Utilize and interpret evidenced-based psychological measurements regarding attitude and change.
4. Display an understanding of implicit and overt attitudes.
5. Gain knowledge of neurological processes in relation to individual attitudes and change.
6. Personally examine and further understand their own origins of attitude and change.
7. Continue to develop writing and presentation skills, as expected at the doctoral level.

Course Assignment :

Textbook readings and lecture presentations :

Course Requirements Checklist :

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

Discussion Assignments (5) :

For five of the modules, the student will submit one chapter summary, from the readings of the given week, with support from at least one journal selection that will be used to understand both the topic and research related to the topic of interest each week. Each summary must be at least 350 words. Students will respond to two peers each week with a response of at least 175 words. Citation of texts and/or articles is encouraged in peer responses.

Book Review Assignment :

The student is required to read and review the Siegel (2011) text. The book review is to be a review, not a summary of the text. A brief summary may be given at the beginning of the assignment, however, considering the following questions, students will review the text: is the author’s style effective or hard to perceive; did the author achieve set goals; how can the overall impression of the text be evaluated (i.e. engaging, useful, dull, etc.); what strengths of the text exist, specifically when considering humanity’s attitudes and capacity for change; what weaknesses of the text exist, specifically when considering humanity’s attitudes and capacity for change; how might this text be used on a personal or professional basis; in what ways does this text-align or fail to align with what is understood in Scripture about humankind’s ability to think, decide, and choose?

The Book Review should be 5- 7 pages, written in APA format, and consist of the following: an abstract, an introduction, a body that involves responding to the aforementioned questions, and a conclusion. 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.

Theory of Attitude Literature Review Assignment :

The student will choose a classical or contemporary theory of attitude to writing an 8-10 page literature review. The literature review should include the following: an abstract, a thesis statement, the history and origins of the theory, the theorists associated with the theory, supporting literature, contradictory literature, how the theory has been used in the past, how the theory measures attitude or change, description of the individual or social use of the theory; suggestions for theory use in the future, how the theory aligns with what is understood about humanity within the Christian worldview, how the theory differs from what the Christian worldview believes about humanity, how the theory could be used by the Christian in the professional field of developmental psychology, and a conclusion.

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.

Comprehensive Midterm :

The Comprehensive Midterm will cover all content from modules 1–4, will consist of 5 short answer/essay questions, and will have a 2-hour time limit.

Comprehensive Final :

The Comprehensive Final will cover all material covered in this course, will consist of 5 short answer/essay questions, and will have a 2-hour time limit.