ATTITUDE MANIPULATION IN RESTRICTED ENVIRONMENTS: I. CONCEPTUAL STRUCTURE AND RESPONSE TO PROPAGANDA.

According to a recently formulated structural theory, nonoptimal levels of environmental stimulation result in behavioral simplification. Such simplification is characterized by a reduced ability to organize and integrate new information, with the result that this information is evaluated and acted upon in an all-or-none fashion. It is predicted that nonoptimal environments will have a stronger effect upon concrete (conceptually simple) than upon abstract (conceptually complex) individuals. In this study, a 2-sided propaganda passage was presented to Ss at the end of 24 hr. of sensory deprivation. Attitude change was found in the concrete, but not in the abstract Ss, and in the deprived, but not in the control group. These data supported the hypotheses derived from structural theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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