THE EFFECTS OF DIRECT EXPERIENCE ON ATTITUDE, SUBJECTIVE NORM, INTENTION, AND BEHAVIOR: PERFORMANCE OF THE TESTICLE SELF EXAM FOR CANCER (HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY, EDUCATION, TSE)
Abstract
This experiment tested the hypothesis that the results of several studies in which direct experience has been shown to strengthen the attitude-behavior relation may be explained in terms of attitude change. It was predicted that the more direct experience a person has with the testicle self exam for cancer, the less his attitude will change as a result of additional experience. Time between the measures of attitude and behavior provides opportunity for direct experience with performance of the exam. Thus, if behavior is measured very shortly after attitude is measured, men will not have gained additional experience with the exam and their attitude will not change as a function of their prior experience. Therefore, their prior experience will not affect the ability of attitude to predict behavior. A total of 85 male subjects read information about testicular cancer and the testicle self exam. Their attitudes, subjective norms, and intentions were measured. To manipulate their experience with the exam, the experimenter instructed them to perform the self exam either 0, 1, or 7 times during the following week. Their attitude, subjective norm, intention, and behavior were assessed one week, two weeks and four weeks later. Contrary to prediction, the greatest change in attitude and intention as a result of additional experience with the exam occurred for men with the most rather than least prior experience. In addition, when behavior was measured soon after attitude and intention were measured, prior experience enhanced the relation of these predictors to behavior. This enhancement in prediction disappeared for the attitude-behavior relation but not for the intention-behavior relation when the behavioral measure was delayed. Consistent with prediction, results for subjective norm and intention were generally very similar to results for attitude. These results provided support for Fazio's (1985) prediction that direct experience enhances the attitude-behavior relation and showed that a parallel effect exists for intention. They also suggest that the effect of direct experience on the attitude-behavior relation is time limited. In addition, the results imply a need for research on this limitation.
Degree
Ph.D.
Subject Area
Social psychology
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