attitudes and (volitional) behaviour 2 lect 3

Question 1

what is the expectancy value model

Answer 1

Helen Peak at al
-attitude composed of beliefs
-attitudes are composed of 2:
1. expectancy of object having an attribute (extent to which object has value laiden attributes)
2. evaluation of attribute
-an attitude is an overall summary of all salient attributes and associated evaluations

Question 2

salient

Answer 2

relevant in that moment

Question 3

what is an overall attitude

Answer 3

combination of all relevant expectancy and evaluation terms
-attitudes are summed including expectancy and value to get overall attitude

Question 4

do attitudes predict behaviour

Answer 4

LaPiere + Corey
-attitudes not predictive of behaviour
-problem = general attitudes were used to predict specific behaviour
e.g attitudes on religion do not predict if someone will go to church this sunday

Question 5

correspondence (compatibility) principle

Answer 5

Fishbein and Ajzen
-attitudes can predict behaviour
-each behaviour has 4 characteristics
1.specific action
2.directed towards specific target
3.in a context
4.at a particular time

Question 6

example of increasing specificity of attitude

Answer 6

Davidson and Jaccard
-predictions of birth control pill over 2 years
-used attitude measures differing in specificity
1. attitudes towards birth control (.08)
2.attitudes towards birth control pills (.32)
3.attitudes towards using birth control pills (.53)
4.attitudes towards using birth control pills in next 2 years (.57)

Question 7

siegal study

Answer 7

-on non organ donors
-measuring specificity
-general attitude (in general how do you feel about organ donation) was poor predictor of becoming an organ donor = 18.5%
- specific attitude to registering as an organ donor = 46% variance in organ donation behaviour

Question 8

predicting volitional behaviour

Answer 8

fishbein and ajzen
-attitudes can predict behaviour so long as principle of compatibility is followed
-attitudes predict behaviour via behavioural intentions
-intentions = mental link between attitude and behaviour

Question 9

theory of reasoned action TRA

Answer 9

fishbein and ajzen
-volitional behaviour is product of rational decision
-decisions based on salient beliefs
-intention is most immediate influence on behaviour

Question 10

what are subjective norms

Answer 10

puts motivation in wider social context and considers perceived social pressure to engage in spec behaviours

Question 11

what is an attitude composed of

Answer 11

attitude = sum of behaviour belief x outcome evaluation

Question 12

example of subjective norms

Answer 12

approval/disapproval of referents e.g children desire to comply with their parents

Question 13

what is social norm composed of

Answer 13

social norm = sum of normative beliefs x compliance motivation

Question 14

how good is TRA at predicting behaviour

Answer 14

Sheppard et al
-prediction of intention = R = .66
-prediction of behaviour = R = .53
(not all behaviours are under complete control)

Question 15

theory of planned behaviour TPB

Answer 15

Ajzen
-similar to TRA but adds element of control in doing behaviours
-people more likely to do behaviour if easy
-takes into account people’s perception of control
-2 control factors: internal and external
-adds perceived behavioural control PBC

Question 16

what is Perceived behavioural control composed of

Answer 16

PBC = sum of liklihood of factor x facilitating/inhibiting power

Question 17

TPB model

Answer 17

behavioural beliefs
x - attitude -
outcome evaluation

normative beliefs
x - subjective norm - intention - behavi.
compliance motive

likelihood beliefs
x - perceived control -
power beliefs

Question 18

how does PBC influence intention

Answer 18

bc people intend to do behaviours when they have a chance of completing them

Question 19

how good is TPB over TRA

Answer 19

Schifter and ajzen
-study of weight loss in college students
-addition of PBC improved prediction of intention (.65-.72)

ajzen and madden
-students intention to get an A in exam
prediction intention
-attitude and subjective norm = .49
-including PBC = .64
achieving actual grade (behaviour)
-attitude and subjective norm = .39
-adding PBC = .45

Question 20

comparing highly controllable with less controllable behaviours

Answer 20

-Madden
-compared highly controllable (taking vitamins) with less controllable (getting good nights sleep)
-inclusion of PBC only improved prediction of intentions + behaviour for less controllable behaviours
-PBC only useful when complete control not possible

Question 21

how good is TPB for predicting behaviours

Answer 21

McEachan meta analysis
-attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control predicted between 40-50% of variance in intention
-intention and perceived behavioural control predicted 19-36% of variance in behaviour

Question 22

critique of reasoned action approach and developments

Answer 22

-intention behaviour gap (Gollwitzer): lack of 1:1 correspondence between intentions and behaviours

-Gollwitzer and Bagozzi: TRA and TPB do not explain how intentions lead to behaviour

Question 23

implementation intentions

Answer 23

-Gollwitzer Rubicon model
-goal directed behaviour = 2 stage process
1.motivation phase: form intention (as TPB) goal intention = what you want to achieve
2. action phase: form plan to achieve goal, implementation intention

Question 24

3 elements of implementation intentions

Answer 24

1.specifies context
2.specifies time
3.specifies actions to achieve goal