Knowledge and the Prediction of Behavior: The Role of Information Accuracy in the Theory of Planned Behavior

The results of the present research question the common assumption that being well informed is a prerequisite for effective action to produce desired outcomes. In Study 1 (N = 79), environmental knowledge had no effect on energy conservation, and in Study 2 (N = 79), alcohol knowledge was unrelated...

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Veröffentlicht in:Basic and applied social psychology Jg. 33; H. 2; S. 101 - 117
Hauptverfasser: Ajzen, Icek, Joyce, Nicholas, Sheikh, Sana, Cote, Nicole Gilbert
Format: Journal Article
Sprache:Englisch
Veröffentlicht: Philadelphia, PA Taylor & Francis Group 01.04.2011
Taylor & Francis
Psychology Press
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ISSN:0197-3533, 1532-4834
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Zusammenfassung:The results of the present research question the common assumption that being well informed is a prerequisite for effective action to produce desired outcomes. In Study 1 (N = 79), environmental knowledge had no effect on energy conservation, and in Study 2 (N = 79), alcohol knowledge was unrelated to drinking behavior. Such disappointing correlations may result from an inappropriate focus on accuracy of information at the expense of its relevance to and support for the behavior. Study 3 (N = 85) obtained a positive correlation between knowledge and pro-Muslim behavior, but Study 4 (N = 89) confirmed the proposition that this correlation arose because responses on the knowledge test reflected underlying attitudes. Study 4 also showed that the correlation could become positive or negative by appropriate selection of questions for the knowledge test. The theory of planned behavior (Ajzen, 1991 ), with its focus on specific actions, predicted intentions and behavior in all four studies.
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ISSN:0197-3533
1532-4834
DOI:10.1080/01973533.2011.568834