Attitude-behaviour is well known theory and most of the researchers seem to support it. However, I came across another theory that suggests that the relationship is the other way around, and it it the behaviour that affects attitudes. Can you refer me to more references about this argument?
Hello Saleh. It may not be about which comes 'first'. It is likely that attitude is not seen, but behavior is expressed. This doesn't imply that 'attitude comes first or before behavior'. Form Bandura's social cognitive theory and his core concepts (Bandura, 1977), our attitudes are much influenced by the behaviors of significant people in our lives. But this doesn't mean that behaviors come first either. I think you will agree. Thanks.
Attitude, behaviour, which comes first?
Think can't posited that either attitude or behavior comes first. It varies from case to case basis. However, certain attitudes & behaviors are interrelated and / or correlated. E.g. team trust (an attitude) can influence working effectiveness (a behavior) that can also influence team satisfaction (an attitude) and / or enhance team trust again based on prior positive experience.
Dear Saleh Ali Ali
Thanks, what is your definitions of Attitude & behaviour ?
Regards,
Thank you all!
Dear Khan, I am referring to brand attitude in particular. So, my understanding of attitude is: the overall evaluation of the brand which can be positive or negative. Well, I am aware of the conceptual debate about "attitudes" but do not feel that it is relevant to my question
Now,based on the theory, those customers who have positive attitudes about a brand, will spread positive word of mouth and re-purchase. On the other hand, those who have negative attitudes about a brand, will not purchase it again and might spread negative word of mouth. However, some studies have shown that attitudes do not necessarily lead to behaviour and hence different mediators have been examined to fill this gap between attitude and behaviour such as intention.
There is, however, another view suggesting that we behave and then try to justify our behaviour. So, as Festinger (1972) argues, the attitude–behaviour relation works the other way around, with our behaviour as the horse and our attitudes as the cart. As Robert Abelson (1972) put it, we are “very well trained and very good at finding reasons for what we do, but not very good at doing what we find reasons for.”
I need some references that explain how our behaviour affects our attitudes.
Thank you for reading
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Social Psychology
- Attitude