Identify the true and false statements about attitudes. True Statement(s) Drag appropriate answer(s) here In general, the stronger and more personally relevant an attitude is, the more likely it is to predict behavior. Attitudes formed through direct experience tend to be good predictors of behavior. The more specific an attitude is, the more predictive it is. When attitudes are difficult to access from memory, they are more likely to predict behavior because we spend a lot of time trying to remember them. Drag appropriate answer(s) here False Statement(s)
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answers
✅ True Statement(s):
- In general, the stronger and more personally relevant an attitude is, the more likely it is to predict behavior.
- Attitudes formed through direct experience tend to be good predictors of behavior.
- The more specific an attitude is, the more predictive it is.
❌ False Statement(s):
- When attitudes are difficult to access from memory, they are more likely to predict behavior because we spend a lot of time trying to remember them.
Explanation (Approx. 300 Words):
Attitudes are evaluations people hold about objects, ideas, or people. They influence behavior, but not all attitudes are equally predictive of behavior. Research in social psychology has identified several key factors that determine whether an attitude will guide behavior effectively.
First, attitude strength and personal relevance significantly affect behavioral prediction. Strong attitudes—those that are emotionally charged, important to the individual, and resistant to change—tend to guide behavior more consistently. When an attitude is personally relevant, it becomes more central to one’s identity, increasing its power to predict future actions.
Second, attitudes formed through direct experience tend to be more durable and influential than those learned secondhand. For example, someone who has personally experienced the benefits of recycling is more likely to act in accordance with pro-environmental attitudes than someone who has only read about it.
Third, attitude specificity is critical. Broad attitudes (e.g., “I like being healthy”) are less predictive of specific behaviors (e.g., exercising daily) than specific attitudes (e.g., “I like jogging every morning”). According to the principle of compatibility, behaviors are best predicted by attitudes that match them in terms of specificity.
The false statement involves attitude accessibility. If an attitude is difficult to access from memory, it is less likely—not more likely—to guide behavior. Easily accessible attitudes are more likely to influence behavior because they come to mind quickly and guide decision-making with minimal effort. Spending a lot of time trying to retrieve an attitude doesn’t enhance its influence; rather, it indicates a weaker attitude-behavior link.
In summary, strong, specific, personally relevant, and easily accessible attitudes are the best predictors of behavior.