Creation of stimulus sets for studying lateral attitude change. Research Report

The Lateral Attitude Change Model (LAC) model (Glaser et al., 2015) features two phenomena of attitude change: generalization and displacement. Generalization occurs when attitude change toward a focal attitude object X (on both implicit and explicit levels) generalizes toward a lateral attitude object Y. Displacement occurs when there is no explicit attitude change toward X, but explicit and implicit attitudes toward Y do change nonetheless. The LAC model specifies conditions leading to each phenomenon and the cognitive processes involved. In a research proposal, Glaser and Bohner (2015) described several experiments designed to test the LAC model. In three studies reported here (total N = 281), 145 attitude objects were pilot-tested for use in those experiments. The focus lay on the similarity between objects, which is the main proposed moderator of LAC. Study 1 featured four sets of dinosaur drawings, which were tested for neutrality and similarity. Study 2 featured eight sets of attitude objects depicted in photographs (e.g., household articles and sports equipment), which were tested for valence and similarity. Studies 3(a) and 3(b) featured socio-political issues, which were tested for valence, importance, similarity, and participants’ awareness of similarity. All stimuli and the results of pilot testing are presented.