The Directive Influence of Attitudes on Behavior

Abstract

Discusses the directive influences of attitudes and intentions on behavior suggest that attitudes and behavioral intentions are good predictors of behavior, as long as the principle of compatibility (i.e., the notion that attitudes, intentions, and behaviors should be measured at the same level of generality or specificity) is respected holds a model of effortful information processing this model implies that the principle of compatibility actually refers to compatibility of salient beliefs that determine attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and intentions argues that the careful considerations taking place in a deliberative mode (i.e., effortful information processing) are likely to bring to mind the most relevant beliefs therefore, congruency of the deliberative mode at the time of attitude formation and the later expression of behavior should enhance attitude-behavior consistency