Weighting Positive versus Negative Valence: The Fundamental Nature of Asymmetries in Attitude Generalization by prof. dr. R. Fazio

The Center of Excellence 'Generalization Research in Ill Health and Psychopathology' (KULeuven) and the FWO Research Network ‘Changing automatic processes in psychopathology and health related behaviour’ (UGent) are pleased to announce the following lecture:

Weighting Positive versus Negative Valence: The Fundamental Nature of Asymmetries in Attitude Generalization

The lecture will be given by prof. dr. Russell H. Fazio (Ohio State University) on Thursday February 16th 2012, from 11:00 to 12:00, in room 00.98 of the Psychological Institute (Tiensestraat 102, Leuven).

You are cordially invited.

(For doctoral students from our faculty, the seminar can be considered as a part of the doctoral program.)


Abstract: 
The current research concerns the relation between the weighting of positive versus negative valence information in attitude generalization and the evaluation of novel situations. Participants played a computer game, BeanFest, in which they were presented with stimuli (beans) that could increase or decrease their points. Later, participants provided a valence classification of the game beans, as well as novel ones that varied in resemblance to those in the game. How participants weight resemblance to a positive versus negative is critical to the classification of these novel beans and serves as the basis for a performance-based index of individuals’ valence weighting tendencies. Across several studies, we explored the relevance of this valence weighting bias to reactions in a variety of domains. The weighting bias was found to relate to rejection sensitivity, threat assessment, comfort with novel situations, risk propensities, and risk behavior. The findings suggest the existence of a fundamental individual difference in valence weighting, thus linking variability in attitude generalization to personality. 

Dirk Hermans, Jan De Houwer & Mathilde Descheemaeker