10/2/07 WEEK 6: EXPERIENCING AND CAUSING BELIEF

Discussion Leader: Cassie

Overview

Gilbert, D. T. (1991).  How mental systems believe.  American Psychologist, 46, 107-119.

The Effects of Overload

Gilbert, D. T., & Osborne, R. (1989).  Thinking backward:  Some curable and incurable consequences of cognitive busyness.  Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57, 940-949.

Conceiving is Believing

Gilbert, D. T., Tafarodi, R. W., & Malone, P. S. (1993).  You can’t not believe everything you read.  Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 65, 221-233.

Skurnick, I, Yoon, C., Park, D. C., & Schwarz, N. (2005). How warnings about false claims become recommendations. Journal of Consumer Research, 31,  713-724.

Causing Belief and Consequent Belief

Gilbert, D. T., & Jones, E. E. (1986).  Perceiver-induced constraint:  Interpretations of self-generated reality.  Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 50, 269-280.

In reading these papers, consider the following questions and be ready to discuss them in class:

1.  What kinds of psychological states besides cognitive busyness would likely produce comparable effects?

2.  Which communication media might be most facilitative of such effects?

3.  How might a prosecuting attorney use the implications of this week’s readings to help convict a defendant?

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