Cognitive Consistency

Book excerpt: Cognitive Consistency: Motivational Antecedents and Behavioral presents the behavioral implications of the motivation for consistency. This book discusses the relationship between assumptions and motivation for consistency. Organized into nine chapters, this book begins with an overview of the area of study, empirical problems, and theoretical issues. This text then examines the nature of the motivation for consistency. Other chapters consider the effects of the formal aspects of cognitions. This book discusses as well the behavioral implications of consistency-seeking and the development of theories of cognitive consistency. The final chapter deals with the extent to which the motivation for consistency is based upon cognitive or social consideration. This book is a valuable resource for readers who are interested in attitude formation and change, in particular, and those interested in social psychology and communications, in general. Psychologists, communications specialists, researchers, and theorists working in the scope of the consistency theories will also find this book useful.