ABSTRACT
Several psychologists have raised the very legitimate question of whether a theory that has been generated from and evaluated by laboratory games is generalizable beyond such simple situations. A metatheoretical paradigm refers to a specific collection of assumptions, concepts, laws, research findings and tools, and a theoretical superstructure that numerous practitioners of science accept as a relatively integrated whole. In typical experiments of attitude change, persuasive communications are directed toward an individual subject, and measurements are taken of changes in attitude and/or behavior toward the object or commodity that is the subject of the appeal. The verbal conditioning literature can be reinterpreted in terms of tacit promises. In a typical verbal reinforcement study the subject is asked to form a sentence using one of several pronouns and a verb presented to him on cards. Conformity is a change in behavior or attitude that can be shown to be caused by real or imagined group pressures.
