The behavior in attitude-behavior consistency: a meta-analytic review

Abstract

A review and meta-analysis of 240 "attitude-behavior consistency" studies from 1937 through 1993 showed that attitudes predict some behaviors better than others. Contrary to previous suggestions, the overall attitude-behavior relationship in published studies (r =.42) is significant. Attitudes predict observable behaviors (and behavioral intentions) better than they predict judgments. Consistent with previous suggestions, attitudes predict approach/avoid behaviors better than they predict help/harm behavior, and predict immediate behaviors better than delayed behaviors. Regardless of the behavior used, attitudes toward persons and objects predict behavior better than do attitudes toward groups or issues and the attitudes of adults predict behavior better than do the attitudes of high school or college students. The behaviors used in studies of attitude-behavior consistency have changed over time in ways that reflect changing definitions of the term "attitude."