''Ordet fanger'' : en teoretisk undersøkelse av behovet for psykolingvistisk nyansering av holdningskonstruktet

Abstract

Scholars argue over the significance of language in social cognitive representation. Holtgraves and Kashima (2008) take the stance of language being underrepresented in this domain. Moreover, they advocate a dichotomy between linguistic and non-linguistic representation as expedient for the efficacy in social cognitive enterprises. This dichotomy is suggested to mimic the dual processes of Gawronski and Bodenhausen’s Associative-Propositional Evaluation Model (APE model) for attitude manifestation. To start, these two perspectives are presented individually. The plausibility of their compatibility is assessed throughout a theoretical analysis, in which the need for a psycholinguistic tinge of the APE model is investigated. The results are interpreted as an indication of the overall demand for an increased language focus in social cognitive literature. The initial findings reveal a need for supplementary knowledge on the neural basis of associative representation, and the Language and Situation Simulation Theory (LASS theory) is therefore immediately presented. After an elaboration of its implications for the analysis, it is indeed argued that the APE model would benefit from an explicit linguistic focus. Finally, the implications of the analysis for social psychological epistemology, cognitive representation and attitude change are discussed. Future scholars are highly encouraged to further illuminate the intricate relationship between linguistic practice and social cognitive representation.