Download Social Judgement Theory with examples and more Lecture notes Social Theory in PDF only on Docsity! Social Judgement Theory Explanation of Theory: Social Judgement theory states that you have a statement or message and you accept it or reject it based on your cognitive map. You accept or reject a message based on one's own ego- involvement and if it falls within their latitude of acceptance. Theorist: Muzafer Sherif, Carolyn Sherif, Carl Hovland Date: 1961 Primary Article: Sherif, M., & Hovland, C.I. (1961). Social Judgement. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press. Individual Interpretations: My interpretation of this theory is that when people receive messages (verbal or nonverbal) they immediately judge where the message should be placed on a scale in their mind through comparing the message with currently held views. Metatheoretical Assumptions: Social Judgement theory is a scientific theory. Epistemologically there is one universal interpretation (one truth) in that people judge the messages they receive. Ontologically, this theory is deterministic in that an individuals behavior can be predicted. Axiologically, Social Judgement theory is value-neutral in that the theoretical propositions are objective and not biased. This theory explains how individuals judge the messages they receive. It predicts that individuals accept, or reject specific attitudes and messages. Social Judgement theory has relative simplicity in that it is a fairly simple study. It can be tested and proved false in that an individual can test the theory through reflecting on statements, which evoke various opinions. The theoretical propositions within the theory are consistent with one another. Social Judgement theory generates new hypotheses, expanding the range of knowledge, and it also has organizing power through organizing our existing knowledge about attitudes in our mind. Critique: Social Judgement theory proposes the idea that persuasion is a two-step process. The first step involves individuals hearing or reading a message and immediately evaluating where the message falls within their own position. The second step involves individuals adjusting their particular attitude either toward or away from the message they heard. Ideas and Implications: Individuals have three zones in which they accept or reject specific messages or attitudes. The latitude of acceptance zone is where individuals place attitudes they consider acceptable. The latitude of rejection zone is where individuals place attitudes they consider unacceptable or objectionable. The latitude of noncommitment is where people place attitudes they find neither
