ance" (as cited in Osborn, 2002, p. 1). That is to say, Rokeach (1966) identifies several types of beliefs that are not equally important. An individual's belief system is typically enduring from childhood. In other words, the most central beliefs (at the core of our belief system) are learned at a young age. These beliefs are the most salient and hardest to change throughout the course of our lives. For instance, believing in God is a very central belief. This is what Rokeach (1966) would call an "absolute belief." Through time, beliefs are put to the test through conflicts with other individuals and change over time and through maturity. People are forced to make decisions about these absolute beliefs and out of this struggle beliefs become organized "hierarchically"(Surlin, 1998 p. 233).
             On the perimeter of the belief system lie a multitude of "insignificant" beliefs that adjust quite easily- these are called peripheral beliefs. For example, how many times have you woke up in the morning and couldn't get your hair exactly how you wanted it. Chances are you looked in the mirror and said to yourself, "My hair is horrible!" You might not believe your hair really is horrible, most likely you are having a "bad hair day" and this belief is temporary. Believing that you are having a "bad hair day" is peripheral and subject to change quite often. As mentioned earlier, the more central the belief, the harder it is to change. But, once this change occurs it has a great impact on the belief system as a whole. So, for instance, when a child finds out that Santa Claus is not real, typically this changes their perspective drastically in relation to how they think about life.
             Groups of beliefs produce attitudes about a situation or object. "Attitude is the way you define and interpret your experiences. Your attitude is the sum total of your beli...