INFORMATION-INDUCED AND THOUGHT-INDUCED POLARIZATION - THE MEDIATING ROLE OF INVOLVEMENT IN MAKING ATTITUDES EXTREME

The catastrophe theory of attitudes suggests that polarization-defined here as increased attitude extremity-can result from increased involv ement. College students' social attitudes became more extreme after re ading mixed information (which increased personal importance) but not after mere thought (which had no effect on importance ratings). As pre dicted information-induced polarization was greatest for those people initially least involved in the issues. Increases in extremity were as sociated with increases in importance, especially in the Information c onditions. The theory may kelp reconcile the confusing literature on i nformation- and thought-induced polarization and explain why disagreem ent and discord often seem to increase with public discussion of socia l issues.