Title page for ETD etd-02282007-141610
( Browse | Search ) All Available ETDs
Type of Document Master's Thesis
Author Alexander, Kira Marie
URN etd-02282007-141610
Title Regulatory Fit and Reaction to Opinion Deviance in Small Groups
Degree Master of Science
Program Psychology
School School of Arts and Sciences
Advisory Committee
Advisor Name Title
John M. Levine Committee Chair
Richard L. Moreland Committee Member
William M. P. Klein Committee Member
Keywords
  • regulatory focus
  • group dynamics
  • regulatory fit
  • opinion deviance
  • reaction to deviance
Date of Defense 2007-01-18
Availability restricted
Abstract
 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). 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.
Files
  Filename       Size       Approximate Download Time (Hours:Minutes:Seconds) 
 
 28.8 Modem   56K Modem   ISDN (64 Kb)   ISDN (128 Kb)   Higher-speed Access 
[campus] AlexanderKM_etd2007.pdf 265.32 Kb 00:01:13 00:00:37 00:00:33 00:00:16 00:00:01
[campus] indicates that a file or directory is accessible from the University of Pittsburgh network only.
If you have questions or comments please send mail to ETD-Feedback.