Alexander, Kira Marie
(2007)
Regulatory Fit and Reaction to Opinion Deviance in Small Groups.
Master's Thesis, University of Pittsburgh.
(Unpublished)
Abstract
<font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"><span> </span>Groups are typically hostile toward opinion deviates, and this response is influenced by characteristics of both the group and the deviate (Levine & Thompson, 1996). Regulatory Fit Theory (Higgins, 2000) makes novel predictions about the impact of these two classes of variables on reaction to deviance. Based on evidence that “fit” between regulatory focus (promotion vs. prevention) and strategic orientation in pursuing a goal (eagerness vs. vigilance) intensifies affective responses to stimuli, it was predicted that group members with a promotion focus would respond more negatively to deviates presenting eager rather than vigilant arguments, whereas members with a prevention focus would respond in exactly the opposite manner. Sixty-five three-person groups of male and female undergraduates (N = 189) were placed in either a promotion or prevention focus and then discussed a proposed senior thesis requirement (95% opposed the proposal). Next, groups watched a male student arguing in favor of the proposal and evaluated the speaker and his message. As predicted, groups in fit conditions (promotion-eager and prevention-vigilant) evaluated the speaker more negatively than did groups in non-fit conditions (promotion-vigilant and prevention-eager).<span style="color: black"> However, group evaluations of the speaker’s message did not differ as a function of fit vs. non-fit. This study clarifies factors underlying group hostility toward people who dissent from consensus and extends the range of Regulatory Fit Theory by using its principles to generate hypotheses about small group phenomena.</span></font></font><strong></strong>
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Details
| Item Type: |
University of Pittsburgh ETD
|
| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
| Creators | Email | Pitt Username | ORCID  |
|---|
| Alexander, Kira Marie | kms47@pitt.edu | KMS47 | |
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| ETD Committee: |
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| Date: |
13 June 2007 |
| Date Type: |
Completion |
| Defense Date: |
18 January 2007 |
| Approval Date: |
13 June 2007 |
| Submission Date: |
28 February 2007 |
| Access Restriction: |
5 year -- Restrict access to University of Pittsburgh for a period of 5 years. |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences > Psychology |
| Degree: |
MS - Master of Science |
| Thesis Type: |
Master's Thesis |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
group dynamics; opinion deviance; reaction to deviance; regulatory fit; regulatory focus |
| Other ID: |
http://etd.library.pitt.edu/ETD/available/etd-02282007-141610/, etd-02282007-141610 |
| Date Deposited: |
10 Nov 2011 19:31 |
| Last Modified: |
15 Nov 2016 13:36 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/6419 |
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