Investigation of the correspondence principle with regard to specific and general COVID‐19 behaviors

Abstract

AbstractTo test all four aspects of the correspondence principle, that is, that specific‐level measures will predict specific‐level behaviors better than they will predict general‐level behavior, and that general measures will predict general‐level behavior better than predicting specific behaviors. A longitudinal study with 240 participants who completed an online survey assessing COVID‐19 vaccination (specific behavior) and adherence to multiple self‐protection behaviors recommended during the pandemic (general behavior). Predictors were general and specific versions of attitudes, past behavior, anxiety, and evaluations of vulnerability. Correlations between specific predictors and specific behaviors exceeded other correlations; general behavior was better predicted by general compared to specific predictors; general predictors predicted both general and specific behaviors. Vaccination behavior was predicted considerably better than adherence to protective behaviors. Most of the predictions based on the correspondence principle were supported. The correspondence principle is more evident in the specific than in the general domain, and for predictors with superior predictive validity.