counterattitudinal

Counterattitudinal refers to a statement or action that goes against a person's privately held beliefs or attitudes. This concept is often explored in the field of psychology, particularly in relation to cognitive dissonance. When an individual engages in counterattitudinal behavior, they may experience psychological discomfort due to the inconsistency between their actions and their attitudes.

To reduce this dissonance, people may change their attitudes to align with their behavior. For example, if someone is persuaded to argue a position they do not agree with, they might later come to believe that position more strongly, especially if the external justification for their counterattitudinal speech was minimal. This phenomenon suggests that actions can influence attitudes, not just the other way around.

The strength of the counterattitudinal effect can depend on various factors, including the perceived freedom to choose the behavior, the amount of external justification offered, and the importance of the attitude to the individual. Research in this area has implications for understanding persuasion, attitude change, and even self-perception.