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Discusson 1

To prepare for this discussion, please read Chapter 4 of your textbook (Feenstra, 2013).  Finally, review Instructor Guidance and Announcements.  In this discussion, you will consider theoretical perspectives on the formation, maintenance, and change of attitudes and the relationship between attitudes and behavior.  Be sure to use your own academic voice and apply in-text citations appropriately throughout your post.

1. Analyze one of your own attitudes/biases using one or more theoretical perspectives presented in the chapter.  For example, you might differentiate implicit versus explicit attitudes, point out how self-perception theory explains attitude formation, appraise attitude change using cognitive dissonance, or diagram a model to predict behavior using the theory of planned behavior.   Be sure to identify thoughts about and feelings toward the target of your attitude, as well as behavioral tendencies.

1. Illustrate the following in your analysis:

• Why do you hold this attitude?
• How did it develop?
• Has it changed over time?  Why or why not?  Do you expect it to change in the future?
• What are some of the social factors that influence this attitude?
• To what extent does this attitude impact your behavior?
• How can understanding the “why” of differing attitudes between diverse populations help us to grow as people?

Post your initial response of 250 words or more by Day 3 (Thursday).  Respond to at least two of your peers by Day 7 (Monday).  You are encouraged to post one or more of your required replies early each week (e.g., by Saturday) to stimulate more meaningful and interactive discourse in the discussion forum.  In addition, strive to provide a response to classmates who replied to your initial post and/or the Instructor (if applicable).  Peer responses may vary in length but should be carefully crafted and insightful.  Below are some suggestions to assist your thinking.

Guided Response:  Reply to at least two or more peers overall.  The goal of the discussion forum is to foster continual dialogue, similar to what might occur in a verbal face-to-face exchange.  Consider the following in your responses:

• Positively validate differing or similar attitudes that exist between you and your peer.
• How might alternative theoretical perspectives or concepts apply to your peer’s attitude?
• Ask questions that encourage your peer to consider more fully the impact of this attitude on his/her behavior and to help you better understand their perspective.

Carefully review the Discussion Forum Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate this Discussion Thread.

Discussion 2

To prepare for this discussion, please read Chapter 5 of your textbook (Feenstra, 2013).  In addition, read Judgment under Uncertainty: Heuristics and Biases (Tversky and Kahneman, 1974).  Finally, review Instructor Guidance and Announcements.  In this discussion, you will consider judgment and decision making.  Be sure to use your own academic voice and apply in-text citations appropriately throughout your post. Locate an additional peer-reviewed source to support your ideas.

1. Outline one of the following options:
   • Identify an example (not from the textbook) to illustrate one of the following heuristics: availability heuristic and representativeness heuristic, or affect heuristic.  Examine the use of heuristics.  How are our judgments, including attitudes and behaviors, influenced by social and cognitive factors? 
   • Identify an example (not from the textbook) to illustrate one of the following errors in judgment: belief perseverance, confirmation bias, or illusion of control.  Examine errors in judgment.  How are our judgments, including attitudes and behaviors, influenced by social and cognitive factors? 

Post your initial response of 250 words or more by Day 3 (Thursday).  Respond to at least two of your peers by Day 7 (Monday).  You are encouraged to post one or more of your required replies early each week (e.g., by Saturday) to stimulate more meaningful and interactive discourse in the discussion forum.  In addition, strive to provide a response to classmates who replied to your initial post and/or the Instructor (if applicable).  Peer responses may vary in length but should be carefully crafted and insightful.  Below are some suggestions to assist your thinking.

Guided Response:  Reply to at least two or more peers overall.  The goal of the discussion forum is to foster continual dialogue, similar to what might occur in a verbal face-to-face exchange.  Consider the following in your responses:

• Can you identify additional examples of the phenomenon your peer discussed?
• Ask questions about the conclusions of the scholarly reference your peer utilized to inform his/her thinking on the topic.

Carefully review the Discussion Forum Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate this Discussion Thread.