The intent of this experiment is to determine whether or not people’s attitudes are linked to their behavior and moderated by personality. The hypothesis states that the stronger the attitudes held toward nutrition and healthy eating, the more likely it will be that the participants will take a healthy snack. Similarly, the weaker the attitudes held toward nutrition and healthy eating, the more likely it will be that the participants will take an unhealthy snack. Further, the hypothesis states that there will be a higher correlation of linked attitude and behavior among the participants with “extraverted” personalities, and a lower correlation of linked attitude and behavior among “introverted” personalities.
Social psychology is the scientific study of how people think, feel, and behave in social situations. One area of social psychology that has received considerable attention is the link between attitudes and behavior. Although most people assume that attitudes influence behavior, this is not always so. Wicker (1969), in his review of the relevant research, concluded that attitudes are only weakly correlated with behavior, if at all. However, researchers have since identified several conditions under which attitudes do predict behavior.
Ajzen and Fishbein’s (1980) presented a theory of reasoned action. According to this theory, attitudes influence actions through a reasoned, deliberate decision-making process that considers a combination of three factors, behavioral intention, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. Overall, when attitudes are strong and are specific to a certain behavior, their effects are beyond dispute (Brehm, 1990). If a participant holds strong attitudes toward nutrition and healthy eating, their behavior should reflect this by reaching for the healthy snacks as opposed to the unhealthy snacks. However, public demonstrations of behavior (e.g., actions in a social setting) are also related to individual differences in personality (Cheek and Buss, 1981; Maslaach et al, 1985). The current study is designed to examine the link between attitude and behavior moderated by personality. Through the use of personality questionnaires, this study also hopes to demonstrate that participants who are classified as extraverts will exhibit higher correlations of attitude and behavior, while participants who are classified as introverts will exhibit lower correlations of attitude and behavior.
Volunteer participants will be students recruited from General Psychology courses at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. They will be using standard sign-up sheets in the Department of Psychology, and students may earn course credit for participation. Approximately 50 students will participate in this study.
Materials. Four questionnaires will be used in this study. The first questionnaire (Attitudes About Eating Questionnaire, (Gibney, Kearney, & Kelly, 1995)) will be used to assess attitudes on nutrition and eating. This questionnaire is made up of ten sections, which include formats of statement rank, five-point scales, and free-style answers. Scores will be generated for each section individually.
The second questionnaire (Cheek & Buss Shyness Scale, (Cheek & Buss, 1981)) will be used to assess shyness. Cheek and Buss (1981) reported a ninety-day test-retest reliability of .74 for the Shyness Scale (n = 96), and a .81 correlation with self-ratings of degree of shyness on a 5-point Likert scale. The Likert scale ranges from 1, not very characteristic or false, to 5, very characteristic or true, for twenty questions. Scores will be generated by adding together the twenty answers.
The third questionnaire (Maslach Individuation Scale, (Maslach et al., 1985)) will be used to assess individuation. Maslach et al. (1985) found a mean score of 37.7 and a standard deviation of 8.8 when they administered this scale to university undergraduates. A 5-point Likert scale is used, ranging from 1, not at all willing to do this, to 5, very much willing to do this, for twelve questions. Scores will be generated by adding together the twelve answers.
The fourth questionnaire will be a short demographic questionnaire. It will elicit information on the participants’ sex, age, overall eating habits, and knowledge of the food group pyramid.
Procedure. Informed consent will be obtained prior to participation in the study. Approximately 50 students will complete the Attitudes About Eating Questionnaire, followed by the Cheek & Buss Shyness Scale and the Maslach Individuation Scale. All students will then complete the demographics questionnaire. As students pass in their completed questionnaires at the end of the study, their behavior as to whether or not they take a healthy or unhealthy snack will be recorded. A research assistant will record each participant’s choice by the subject identification number.
All participants will be able to request a complete copy of the results of this study by completing an address label at the conclusion o the study. These labels will not be linked to identification numbers. They will be informed of the intent of the study, and they will be provided with a copy of the Food Guide Pyramid and a pamphlet on healthy eating.