An investigation of varying degrees of high discrepancy and change in highly involved subjects : a concept formation problem

This study was designed to investigate the amount and the nature of change produced in highly involved individuals when they are confronted with extremely discrepant information. To determine the change and to allow for an examination of it in as pure a form as possible a basic information processing problem in concept formation was used. The independent variable was change in an originally formed concept. The subjects in this study were given a two part concept formation test in which the experimenter induced involvement. By solving Part I of the test the subjects assumed a position analogous to an attitude. By solving Part II of the test the subjects were considered to have undergone a process analogous to a counter communication situation. The subjects responses to the three levels of high discrepancy in the second part of the test were considered indicative of their change. The group change was measured and a test of difference was applied to determine the significance. No statistical difference was discovered for the three groups.