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In what circumstances can attitudes predict behaviour?
Member rating: No Rating | Words: | Submitted: Mon Dec 22 2003
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In what circumstances can attitudes predict behaviour? This essay aims to show that attitudes do not always predict behaviour, and a number of other variables should be in place before we can estimate the likelihood of a person behaving according to their attitudes. Social Psychologists have suggested that variables such as the intention to act according to attitudes, the perceived control over one's actions, the strength and accessibility of attitude, and the situational context shape the circumstances in which attitudes predict behaviour. Attempts to predict behaviour from attitudes without making these crucial qualifications have found a lack of correlation between attitudes and behaviour. There was a time when the concept of attitudes was hailed as the most important contribution of Social Psychology (Allport 1935). The term 'attitude' is now taken for granted in our everyday lay vocabulary, but has been treated with increasing scepticism by some Social Psychologists. A major blow to...
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