Construct · 1 fields · 1 citations

bolster: a standalone construct

One name. One construct. A landmark on the map.

● anchor · a standalone construct Nearest construct by meaning·not indexed
bolster1 CONSTRUCTBolstering (dissonance)ABELSON · 1959

A single standalone construct; nearby constructs are located against it in the Collider. Tap a field for its definition, unit, and measures.

Social psychology

Shoring up a belief by piling on supporting thoughts

In social psychology, bolstering is a way people resolve the discomfort of conflicting beliefs or a hard decision: rather than change their mind, they add fresh supporting cognitions (reasons, justifications, and consonant facts) that prop up the position they already hold until the balance tips back toward consistency. Abelson set it out as one of several “modes of resolution” for belief dilemmas, alongside denial and transcendence. The construct names a mental shoring-up, not a cushion or a steel crossbeam.[1]

Unit
The number and weight of consonant cognitions added to support a position
Recovery means
Not applicable
Measured by
Inferred from attitude-strength and dissonance measures before and after supportive reasons are generated

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Nearby constructs

architecture3 fields · 4 citationsjingle · one word, three constructsbalance4 fields · 5 citationsjingle · one word, four constructsbelief4 fields · 4 citationsjingle · one word, four constructs

References

  1. Abelson, R. P. (1959). Modes of resolution of belief dilemmas. Journal of Conflict Resolution, 3(4), 343–352. https://doi.org/10.1177/002200275900300403

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