To what extent may attitudes predict behaviour?
According to Allport (1935) an attitude is ‘a mental and neural state of readiness, organised through experience, exerting a directive or dynamic influence upon the individual’s response to all objects and situations with which it is related’. The link between attitudes and behaviour has been consistently researched by social psychologists. Fishbein and Ajzen (1975) suggest that attitudes can predict behaviour and their suggestion has been supported by Davidson and Jacard (1979). However, as will become clear throughout this essay evidence suggesting that the influence of attitudes in predicting behaviour is minimal. There are other factors such as, the influence of behavioural intent as the …show more content…
The Theory of Planned Behaviour was developed by Ajzen in 1989 and suggests that attitudes, social norms and perceived behavioural control combined form a person’s behavioural intention which subsequently leads to the behaviour. Specifically behavioural control has been found to be a significant predictor of behaviour. Parker Manstead and Stradling (1995) applied the Theory of Planned Behaviour to study the behaviour of nearly 600 British drivers with the concern of the predictability of intention to commit driving offenses. The drivers were interviewed and given a questionnaire about their intentions and attitudes regarding three scenarios: reckless weaving, illegal overtaking on the inside lane and cutting in. The result showed significant correlations between the driver’s perceived behavioural control over their driving behaviour and their attitudes to committing each of the offenses. This research clearly demonstrates the role of perceived behavioural control in predicting behaviour giving support for the argument in place that behavioural control to a greater extent can predict behaviour and although attitudes have an influence it is to a lesser
According to Allport (1935) an attitude is ‘a mental and neural state of readiness, organised through experience, exerting a directive or dynamic influence upon the individual’s response to all objects and situations with which it is related’. The link between attitudes and behaviour has been consistently researched by social psychologists. Fishbein and Ajzen (1975) suggest that attitudes can predict behaviour and their suggestion has been supported by Davidson and Jacard (1979). However, as will become clear throughout this essay evidence suggesting that the influence of attitudes in predicting behaviour is minimal. There are other factors such as, the influence of behavioural intent as the …show more content…
The Theory of Planned Behaviour was developed by Ajzen in 1989 and suggests that attitudes, social norms and perceived behavioural control combined form a person’s behavioural intention which subsequently leads to the behaviour. Specifically behavioural control has been found to be a significant predictor of behaviour. Parker Manstead and Stradling (1995) applied the Theory of Planned Behaviour to study the behaviour of nearly 600 British drivers with the concern of the predictability of intention to commit driving offenses. The drivers were interviewed and given a questionnaire about their intentions and attitudes regarding three scenarios: reckless weaving, illegal overtaking on the inside lane and cutting in. The result showed significant correlations between the driver’s perceived behavioural control over their driving behaviour and their attitudes to committing each of the offenses. This research clearly demonstrates the role of perceived behavioural control in predicting behaviour giving support for the argument in place that behavioural control to a greater extent can predict behaviour and although attitudes have an influence it is to a lesser