Attitude-Behavior Consistency

Explanations > Theories > Attitude-Behavior Consistency

Description | So What? | See also | References 

Description

Our attitudes (predispositions to behavior) and actual behaviors are more likely to align if the following factors are true:

• Our attitude and behavior are both constrained to very specific circumstances.
• There have been many opportunities to express attitude through behavior.
• We have a history of attitude-behavior consistency.
• The attitudes are based on personal experience, rather than being copied from others.
• The attitudes are proven by past experience.
• There is no social desirability bias, where the presence of others will lead us into uncharacteristic behavior.
• We are low in self-monitoring, so we do not distract 
• The attitude is strongly held and is around core beliefs.

So What?

Using it

If you want people to behave in a certain way, check out the above list before assuming their attitude will actually lead to the desired behavior.

Defending

Beware of causing confusion and sending mixed messages if you act outside of your visible attitudes.

See also

Attitude, Social Desirability Bias, Planned Behavior Theory, Self-Monitoring Behavior

References

Kallgren and Wood (1986)

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