Attitudinal Variables and Behavior: Three Empirical Studies and a Theoretical Reanalysis

Abstract : Three experiments attempting to predict overt behavior from attitudinal variables are described. In the first two experiments an attempt was made to predict an individual's communicative and compliance behaviors toward his group members from knowledge of (a) his attitudes toward (i.e., affect for) the group members; (b) his beliefs about their expertness on the group task; and (c) his general behavioral intentions toward them (i.e., intentions to subordinate oneself, intentions to show social acceptance). In the third study, an alternative approach, based on a newly-developed theory of behavioral intention and behavior was attempted. The degree of predictability was determined by the strength of the relationship between intentions and behavior, and this latter relationship was itself shown to be contingent upon the occurrence of events that took place between the measurement of intentions and the observation of behavior.