Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Human behavior is a complex interplay of internal dispositions and external influences. Attitudes, defined as evaluative statements reflecting how one feels about an object, person, or event, are often considered precursors to behavior. However, the relationship isn’t always straightforward. The scenario presented – a young person helping a visually impaired woman and attributing it to a positive attitude – raises a fundamental question in social psychology: does attitude determine behavior, or does behavior shape attitude? This question has been a subject of extensive research, with theories like Cognitive Dissonance and Self-Perception offering contrasting yet complementary explanations.
Attitude Determining Behavior
Traditionally, it was believed that attitudes strongly predict behavior. This perspective stems from the idea that individuals strive for consistency between their beliefs, feelings, and actions. Several theories support this notion:
- Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen, 1991): This theory posits that behavioral intention is the immediate determinant of behavior, and intention is influenced by attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. A positive attitude towards helping others would thus increase the intention to help, leading to the observed behavior.
- Expectancy-Value Theory: This suggests that behavior is determined by the expected outcome and the value placed on that outcome. If the young person believes helping will have a positive outcome (e.g., feeling good, societal approval) and values helping others, they are more likely to act.
In the given scenario, the young person’s stated positive attitude towards visually impaired individuals could be seen as the driving force behind their helpful action. They may have internalized societal values promoting compassion and empathy, leading to a pre-existing positive attitude that manifested in their behavior.
Behavior Determining Attitude
However, the relationship isn’t always unidirectional. Sometimes, behavior precedes and influences attitude. This is explained by:
- Self-Perception Theory (Bem, 1972): This theory suggests that individuals infer their attitudes by observing their own behavior, especially when their initial attitudes are weak or ambiguous. If the young person hadn’t had a strong pre-existing attitude towards helping, they might have concluded they *must* have a positive attitude towards visually impaired individuals *because* they helped the woman.
- Cognitive Dissonance Theory (Festinger, 1957): This theory proposes that individuals experience discomfort (dissonance) when their attitudes and behaviors are inconsistent. To reduce this dissonance, they may change their attitude to align with their behavior. If the young person felt compelled to help (perhaps due to social pressure) but didn’t initially have a strong positive attitude, they might rationalize their behavior by developing a more favorable attitude towards helping visually impaired individuals.
For example, consider the ‘forced compliance’ paradigm. Participants induced to write an essay supporting a position they disagree with often report a change in their attitude towards that position, especially if they received minimal justification for writing the essay. This demonstrates how behavior can alter attitude.
The Reciprocal Relationship
Modern perspectives emphasize a reciprocal relationship between attitude and behavior. The Attitude-Behavior Relationship (ABR) model acknowledges that both factors influence each other in a dynamic interplay.
| Factor | Influence on | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Attitude | Behavior | Positive attitude towards environmental conservation leads to recycling. |
| Behavior | Attitude | Volunteering at an animal shelter increases positive feelings towards animals. |
| Situational Factors | Both Attitude & Behavior | Social pressure to donate to charity can influence both attitude towards the charity and the act of donating. |
In the given scenario, it’s likely that a combination of factors was at play. The young person may have had a pre-existing positive attitude, which was reinforced by the positive experience of helping the woman. Alternatively, the act of helping itself may have strengthened their positive attitude. The strength of the initial attitude, situational factors (e.g., presence of others, urgency of the situation), and individual personality traits all contribute to the complex interplay.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the question of whether attitude determines behavior or vice versa is not a simple one. While attitudes can certainly predict behavior, particularly when they are strong and specific, behavior can also shape and modify attitudes through processes like self-perception and cognitive dissonance reduction. The most accurate understanding recognizes a reciprocal relationship, where attitudes and behaviors mutually influence each other, moderated by situational factors and individual differences. Further research continues to refine our understanding of this complex dynamic, highlighting the importance of considering both internal dispositions and external influences when analyzing human action.
Answer Length
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