Final answer:
The blank should be filled with 'the emotional attachment', as greater emotional investment in a commitment significantly influences an individual's attitudes. This is tied to cognitive dissonance and effort justification, showing how social and personal factors affect behavior and decisions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The evidence is clear that the greater the emotional attachment that goes into a commitment, the greater its ability to influence the attitudes of the person who made it. Commitments accompanied by a significant emotional investment have a more profound impact on an individual's behavior and thought patterns. This is closely linked to the concept of cognitive dissonance, where individuals feel compelled to align their attitudes and behaviors to alleviate tension caused by conflicting beliefs or actions. Similarly, conformity, compliance, and obedience to social pressures can drive changes in attitudes, often adhering to group norms out of a desire to fit in or be accurately informed by the group. The social context, including the potential roles of prejudice and discrimination, also plays a part in shaping a person's decisions and attitudes.
For example, the effort justification concept suggests that individuals value their associations more if they have endured challenging experiences to belong to a group, as illustrated by the greater appreciation for a group that required a difficult initiation process. Furthermore, personal choices, often related to self-interested behavior and profit-seeking, are also crucial in defining an individual's freedom to make economic decisions that align with their values and attitudes.