Inducing belief instability without a persuasive message: The roles of attitude centrality, individual cognitive differences, and sensory deprivation.

Abstract
Previous research has shown increased susceptibility to external influence among human sensory deprivation subjects. The cognitive disorganization and arousal models of the effects of sensory deprivation suggest that the induction of belief instability is the crucial mechanism underlying these findings. The effects of sensory deprivation and attitude centrality upon belief instability were investigated. Sensory deprivation for 24 h led to greater belief instability among sensory deprivation subjects on both peripheral and central attitudes. Less belief instability was found among sensory deprivation and control subjects on the central attitude. Measures of intelligence and conceptual complexity were not significantly correlated with instability. The uncertainty model of attitude change may be useful in explaining the effects of sensory deprivation on persuasibility.

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