Attitudinal ambivalence
Abstract
The concept of attitudinal ambivalence refers to the degree to which an attitude object is evaluated positively and negatively at the same time. As is argued in the present chapter, ambivalence is an aspect of attitude strength which is likely to have consequences with respect to its impact on information processing, the persistence of the respective attitude, its resistance to persuasion, as well as the relationship between the attitude and relevant behavior. For example, attitudes are assumed to be less temporarily stable and to correspond less well with pertinent behaviors at higher levels of ambivalence. However, depending upon which operational approach to measuring ambivalence is adopted, different processes and consequences are to be expected. Our hypotheses are discussed in the light of relevant research.
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Some researchers have argued that the concept of attitudes is complex and vague, and thus a univalent evaluation cannot explain its full complexity or reflect the true mental state of individuals.
“Some researchers (e.g., Jonas, Broemer, & Diehl, 2000; Priester & Petty, 2001; Thompson, Zanna, & Griffin, 1995) have argued that the concept of attitudes is complex and vague, and thus a univalent evaluation cannot explain its full complexity or reflect the true mental state of individuals.”
From Mobile shopping cart abandonment: The roles of conflicts, ambivalence, and hesitation (2018) · cites this paper as Jonas, Broemer, & Diehl, 2000
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Attitude construction: evaluation in context
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Mobile shopping cart abandonment: The roles of conflicts, ambivalence, and hesitation
Huang, G.-H., Korfiatis, N., & Chang, C.-T. (2018) · Journal of Business Research · doi:10.1016/j.jbusres.2017.12.008 · Cited by 163 · see citing works
Trémeau, F., Antonius, D., Todorov, A., Rebani, Y., Ferrari, K., Lee, S. H., Calderone, D., Nolan, K. A., Butler, P., Malaspina, D., et al. (2016) · Psychiatry Research · doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2016.02.014 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
- Authors
- Jonas, K., Broemer, P., & Diehl, M.
- Affiliations
- Chemnitz University of Technology (DE)
- University of Tübingen (DE)
- Corresponding author
- Jonas, Klaus
- Venue
- European Review of Social Psychology
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2000-01
- Volume
- 11
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 35-74
- ISSN
- 1046-3283 (ISSN-L)
- 1479-277X
- OpenAlex
- W4242422224
- Cited by
- 234
- References
- 10
- Citations by year
- 2026: 11 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 55 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 9
- FWCI
- 9.78
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- European Review of Social Psychology (publishedVersion)
- Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Social and Intergroup Psychology
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Behavioral Health and Interventions
- Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Management Science and Operations Research › Psychometric Methodologies and Testing
- Keywords
- attitudinal ambivalence, attitude strength, attitude persistence, resistance to persuasion, attitude-behavior relationship, information processing, attitude stability
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