Measures Of Behavioral Intentions Research Articles

Belief in a just world and social dominance orientation: Evidence for a mediational pathway predicting negative attitudes and discrimination against individuals with mental illness

Prejudice against individuals with mental illness stems from multiple factors, including the personality traits of those harboring the prejudiced attitudes. However, little is known about the personality processes (as opposed to static correlates) leading to negative attitudes and discrimination toward individuals with mental illness. The present research tested a mediational model in which negative attitudes against such people and resulting intentions to discriminate are distally rooted in just-world beliefs, which predispose people toward higher social dominance orientation, a well-known proximal personality predictor of general prejudice. Participants completed measures of behavioral intentions, attitudes toward individuals with mental illness, social dominance orientation, and belief in a just world. The proposed mediational model was supported, and an alternative causal model was not. These results illuminate the personality-process antecedents of attitudes toward individuals with mental illness and provide a foundation for research targeting interventions intended to reduce prejudice and discrimination against this population.

Predicting intention to uptake H1N1 influenza vaccine in a university sample

Global pandemic H1N1 was atypical of influenza in that it was associated with high symptom severity among young adults. Higher education institutions were therefore understandably concerned about the potential for high infection rates among students. This study examined intention to uptake H1N1 vaccine between November and December 2009, when the virus was classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as being in the pandemic phase. A cross-sectional survey design was employed. Two hundred university students completed a questionnaire battery comprised of health, belief/attitudes, and behavioural intention measures. Findings suggested that non-intention to vaccinate is associated with a strong disbelief in its efficacy, in negative attitudes towards vaccinations, and in lack of perceived threat, which is underscored by a disinterest in others' opinions, including authoritative bodies. Findings also suggested that there is resistance to the idea of vaccinations being mandatory. Vaccination intent is in some way linked to a range of attitudes and beliefs. The implication for health practitioners is that behaviour intent may be open to influence where psycho-education can create pro-vaccine attitudes and beliefs.

Improving implicit and explicit intergroup attitudes using imagined contact: An experimental intervention with elementary school children

The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of imagined intergroup contact ( Crisp & Turner, 2009 ) on elementary school children’s explicit and implicit intergroup attitudes. Italian 5th-graders participated in a 3-week intervention involving imagining meeting an unknown immigrant peer in various situations. Approximately 1 week after the last session, they completed measures of self-disclosure and behavioral intentions toward immigrants. Furthermore, they were administered a measure of implicit prejudice. Results showed that those taking part in the intervention, compared to participants in a control condition, revealed more positive behavioral intentions and implicit attitudes toward immigrants. Moreover, self-disclosure mediated the effect of imagined contact on outgroup behavioral intentions. Theoretical and practical implications of findings are discussed.

Women's interest in taking tamoxifen and raloxifene for breast cancer prevention: response to a tailored decision aid.

Although tamoxifen can prevent primary breast cancer, few women use it as a preventive measure. A second option, raloxifene, has recently been approved. The objective of the study was to determine women's interest in tamoxifen and raloxifene after reading a decision aid (DA) describing the risks and benefits of each medication. Women with 5-year risk of breast cancer ≥ 1.66 from two large health maintenance organizations were randomized to receive a DA versus usual care. After reading an on-line DA that discussed the risks and benefits of tamoxifen and raloxifene, women completed measures of risk perception, decisional conflict, behavioral intentions, and actual behavior related to tamoxifen and raloxifene. 3 months following the intervention, 8.1% of participants had looked for additional information about breast cancer prevention drugs, and 1.8% had talked to their doctor about tamoxifen and/or raloxifene. The majority, 54.7%, had decided to not take either drug, 0.5% had started raloxifene, and none had started tamoxifen. Participants were not particularly worried about taking tamoxifen or raloxifene and did not perceive significant benefits from taking these drugs. Over 50% did not perceive a change in their risk of getting breast cancer if they took tamoxifen or raloxifene. After reading a DA about tamoxifen and raloxifene, few women were interested in taking either breast cancer prevention drug.

Direct Contact as a Moderator of Extended Contact Effects: Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Impact on Outgroup Attitudes, Behavioral Intentions, and Attitude Certainty

Cross-group friendships (the most effective form of direct contact) and extended contact (i.e., knowing ingroup members who have outgroup friends) constitute two of the most important means of improving outgroup attitudes. Using cross-sectional and longitudinal samples from different intergroup contexts, this research demonstrates that extended contact is most effective when individuals live in segregated neighborhoods having only few, or no, direct friendships with outgroup members. Moreover, by including measures of attitudes and behavioral intentions the authors showed the broader impact of these forms of contact, and, by assessing attitude certainty as one dimension of attitude strength, they tested whether extended contact can lead not only to more positive but also to stronger outgroup orientations. Cross-sectional data showed that direct contact was more strongly related to attitude certainty than was extended contact, but longitudinal data showed both forms of contact affected attitude certainty in the long run.

Correlates of the Stages of Change for Physical Activity in a Population Survey

We sought to identify variables associated with being in a particular stage of change for physical activity-a measure of behavioral intention to engage in regular physical activity. Understanding behavioral intentions can be useful in explaining why individuals are physically inactive or active. Data from the Rhode Island 2000 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were used to evaluate predictors of stage of change for physical activity. There were 3454 observations in the data set, representing a weighted population of 742636 people. Estimates were obtained from polytomous multiple logistic models. Being a woman, Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black, and older than 55 years of age were associated with being in precontemplation and contemplation stages of change rather than maintenance. Self-perceived health status and rarely feeling healthy or full of energy were strongly predictive of stage of change. Having a health limitation was a dichotomous predictor, predicting being in action and precontemplation stages. Several sociodemographic and health variables were associated with varying patterns of stages of change for physical activity. The complexity of individual intentions for physical activity provides evidence for the potential existence of mediating, effect-modifying, and confounding variables that differ depending on individual characteristics.

Comparing the effects of live and video-taped theatrical performance in decreasing stigmatization of people with serious mental illness

Background: Interventions that promote contact with people with psychiatric disabilities can decrease negative attitudes about this population. However, little is known about the impact of different types of educational presentations on stigmatizing attitudes of people with serious mental illness across time.Aim: To longitudinally examine the relative effects of live and video-taped theatrical presentations on undergraduates' affective response, intolerant attitudes, and intentions to interact with people with serious mental illness.Method: A total of 303 undergraduates viewed either a live or video-taped theatrical performance about stigmatization of mental illness, or were members of a no-presentation comparison group. Attitudes of tolerance and behavioral intentions were assessed one month prior, immediately following, and one month after presentations. Affective responses to presentations were also assessed.Results: The live presentation group showed the greatest initial decrease in stigmatizing attitudes, and increase in behavioral intentions. The live presentation group reported a significantly greater affective response than the video group. Both groups were significantly different from the no-presentation group on measures of attitudes and behavioral intentions one month following the presentations.Conclusions: Study demonstrates the relative merits of both live and video-taped presentations for decreasing stigmatization of people with serious mental illness.Declaration of interest: None.

Osteoporosis prevention among young women: Psychosocial models of calcium consumption and weight-bearing exercise.

To examine the putative determinants of two osteoporosis-preventive behaviors, calcium consumption and weight-bearing exercise, in 2 samples of young women (Sample 1, n = 202; Sample 2, n = 209). A common psychosocial model of both behaviors, comprising the health belief model and augmented with constructs drawn from social cognitive theory and the theory of planned behavior, was developed, tested, and replicated. A prospective 2-panel design was used. Baseline data were obtained in fall 1997 for Sample 1 and in spring 2002 for Sample 2. Behavioral follow-up data were obtained 6 months after initial data collection for both samples. Baseline measures of behavioral intentions served as proximal outcomes. Behavioral measures obtained 6 months later served as distal outcomes. Perceived barriers and self-efficacy directly predicted intentions to consume calcium and to exercise. Descriptive norms predicted intentions, in part indirectly through barriers and self-efficacy. Constructs specific to osteoporosis (e.g., susceptibility, severity) did not contribute to prediction. With initial behavior controlled, intentions to consume calcium and to exercise predicted the corresponding behaviors measured 6 months later; intentions fully mediated the relationship of model constructs to behavior. Health beliefs associated with a negative health outcome, here osteoporosis, distal to young women's lives did not contribute to prediction. In contrast, constructs related to the current behaviors of calcium consumption and weight-bearing exercise (barriers, self-efficacy, norms) were highly predictive. Implications for behavioral interventions are discussed.

Clustering of energy balance-related behaviours and their intrapersonal determinants

The consistent increase in the prevalence of obesity that currently occurs in industrialised countries can be explained by the existence of multiple behavioural actions that exert continuous pressure toward a positive energy balance. The present study examined the clustering of intrapersonal determinants of five energy balance-related behaviours (i.e., consumption of energy-dense snacks, the use of high-fat sandwich fillings, fruit consumption, active transport and physical activity during leisure time). The research population consisted of a large sample of Dutch adolescents (n = 3859; mean age 14.8; 55.2% girls). Attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control and intention measures related to the various behaviours clustered more strongly than the behaviours themselves, with correlations ranging from 0.09 to 0.55. The consequences of adopting an energy balance approach are discussed.

Combined descriptive and explanatory information improves peers’ perceptions of autism

Authors examined the combined effects of descriptive and explanatory information on peers’ perceptions and behavioral intentions toward an unfamiliar child with autism. Children ( N=576; M age=10.06 years) were randomly assigned to view two videotapes of a boy engaging in typical and autistic behaviors receiving either descriptive (AUT-D) or descriptive and explanatory information (AUT-D+E). Children responded to measures of attitudes (Adjective Checklist) and behavioral intentions (Shared Activities Questionnaire). Children rated the typical boy more favorably than the boy showing autistic symptoms. When compared to descriptive information alone, the combination of descriptive and explanatory information resulted in improved third- and fourth-graders’ but not fifth-graders’ attitudes toward the child with autism. Combined information improved behavioral intentions across grades; however, girls (vs. boys) were more responsive to information as evidenced by differences in academic intentions. The combination of descriptive and explanatory information about autism appears to have a positive effect on children’s attitudes and behavioral intentions. Implications of the findings are briefly discussed as well as study limitations and recommendations for future research.

Managing the Power of Curiosity for Effective Web Advertising Strategies

This research investigates the effect of curiosity on the effectiveness of Internet advertising. In particular, we identify processes that underlie curiosity resolution and study its impact on consumer motivation and learning. The dataset from our simulated Internet experiment includes process tracking variables (i.e., clickstream data from ad-embedded links), traditional attitude and behavioral intention measures, and open-ended protocols. We find that a curiosity-generating advertising strategy increases interest and learning relative to a strategy that provides detailed product information. Furthermore, though curiosity does not dramatically increase the observed quantity of search in our study, it seems to improve the quality of search substantially (i.e., time spent and attention devoted to specific information), resulting in better and more focused memory and comprehension of new product information. To enhance the effectiveness of Internet advertising of new products, we recommend a curiosity advertising strategy based on four elements: (1) curiosity generation by highlighting a gap in extant knowledge, (2) the presence of a hint to guide elaboration for curiosity resolution, (3) sufficient time to try and resolve curiosity as well as the assurance of curiosity-resolving information, and (4) the use of measures of consumer elaboration and learning to gauge advertising effectiveness.

Disgust Sensitivity and Attitudes toward Organ Donation among African-American College Students

241 African-American college students (94 men and 147 women, mean age = 20.3 +/- 3.4 yr.) completed the 1994 Disgust Scale of Haidt, McCauley, and Rozin and a modified form of Parisi-Rizzo's 1987 Attitudes Toward Organ Donation Scale (negative subscale only) as well as a behavioral measure of intention to donate organs after death. Analyses indicated that the higher the disgust sensitivity, the more negative the attitude toward organ donation and the less likely the student was to indicate intent to donate organs. It was further shown that negative attitudes toward organ donation mediated the relationship between disgust sensitivity and the behavioral intention measure. Results highlight the complexity of the issues surrounding organ donation within an African-American population and provide additional empirical evidence for the development of a theoretical model to explain the organ donation phenomenon.

Retention in substance dependence treatment: the relevance of in-treatment factors.

In addition to "fixed" patient demographic and background variables, treatment process constructs play an important role in the prediction of treatment retention in substance dependence treatment. The objective of this paper is to analyze the predictive role of repeated measures of treatment readiness and behavioral intention, and of patients' perception of the therapeutic alliance, while controlling for fixed patient-oriented variables. Ninety-three patients, both alcohol and drug dependents, enrolled in this study, which was conducted in an inpatient treatment setting. Patients completed questionnaires shortly after admission (t=0) and approximately 2 weeks later (t=1). Using these measures, 35% of variance of a length of stay in treatment of up to 30 days could be explained. Fixed patient-oriented variables accounted for 21% of variance. Of the cognitive factors, helping alliance was the most important, accounting for an additional 8% of variance. The implications of these results are discussed.

Affect and Self-Focused Attention Revisited: The Role of Affect Orientation

Research examining the influence of affect on self-focused attention has concentrated exclusively on the valence dimension (i.e., negative-positive) of affect. The authors propose that the dimension of affect orientation (i.e., reflective-social) illuminates consider ably this relation. A reflective orientation refers to atendency for inaction, whereas a social orientation refers to a tendency for action. Two experiments tested the hypothesis that two opposite-valenced but reflective affective states (i.e., sadness and contentment) heighten self-focused attention, whereas two opposite-valenced but social affective states (i.e., thrill and anger) reduce self-focused attention. Affect was induced via an imagination task (Experiment 1) or an imagination task combined with musical selections (Experiment 2). Self-focused attention was assessed through the state version of the Private Self-Consciousness (PSC) scale (Experiment 1) or the state version of the PSC plus a behavioral intention measure (Experiment 2). The results confirmed the hypothesis.

Tire Rim Mismatch Explosions: The Role of On-Product Warnings

Three field studies were carried out to evaluate the potential effectiveness of good on-product size and warning information in preventing 16 inch tire and 16.5 inch rim mismatch accidents. In the first study a 16 inch tire, a 16.5 inch tire, a 16 inch rim and a 16.5 inch rim were taken to service stations where employees were requested to mount the tires. The 16 inch tire contained a tread label warning and a warning label was located in the drop center of the 16.5 inch rim. The rims also contained size stamping information. At the 27 stations visited, 5 employees started to mount the 16 inch tire on the 16.5 inch rim and 3 started to mount the 16.5 inch tire on the 16 inch rim. All others would have mounted correctly matched tires and rims. The second study consisted of taking a 16 inch tire and 16.5 inch rim to 28 service stations to be mounted. At 18 stations a label containing size and warning information was on the rim. At 10 of these stations the employee refused to mount the tire. As a control, the same tire and rim were taken to 10 stations without the rim warning, and the employees at 9 of these stations proceeded to begin the mounting task. In Study 3 a printed warning label intended for the sidewall of 16 inch tires was shown to 23 service station employees who were asked to read the label and assume they had read it on a tire sidewall. They were then asked what they would do. This behavioral intention measure indicated that 2 would refuse to mount the tire and 17 others would attempt to determine the size of the rim. The results of these field studies clearly indicate that good warning and size information can be significant in preventing 16 inch tire and 16.5 inch rim mismatch accidents.

The implications of recency and gender effects in consumer response to ambush marketing

So-called ambush marketers, are companies that use clever advertising imagery (and/or ad placement) to link their brand(s) with a major event, in the minds of its audience, without having to purchase the expensive rights fees that event properties often charge for official sponsorship status. This study uses an experimental design to explore certain effects of the ambush marketing strategy. Its focus is on the potential impact of recency (of ad exposure), as well as gender differences, on measures of memory, brand attitude, and behavioral intentions for brands perceived to be official sponsors. Respondents (n-215) were randomly assigned to groups viewing Olympics programming intercut with advertising for either official sponsors or ambush marketers. No statistically significant differences are observed between males and females in their pretest sponsor recall or recognition levels, whereas recency of ad exposure is found to be a significant influence on posttest sponsor awareness in the aggregate. Significant gender differences are detected, however, in attitude toward the brand and purchase intentions for two of three product categories investigated, as females have higher mean scores for those two measures. The implications of these results are discussed and followed by recommendations for event promoters seeking to preserve the value of event sponsorships, along with defensive advertising-strategies to protect the investments of their official sponsors. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

The implications of recency and gender effects in consumer response to ambush marketing

So-called ambush marketers, are companies that use clever advertising imagery (and/or ad placement) to link their brand(s) with a major event, in the minds of its audience, without having to purchase the expensive rights fees that event properties often charge for official sponsorship status. This study uses an experimental design to explore certain effects of the ambush marketing strategy. Its focus is on the potential impact of recency (of ad exposure), as well as gender differences, on measures of memory, brand attitude, and behavioral intentions for brands perceived to be official sponsors. Respondents (n-215) were randomly assigned to groups viewing Olympics programming intercut with advertising for either official sponsors or ambush marketers. No statistically significant differences are observed between males and females in their pretest sponsor recall or recognition levels, whereas recency of ad exposure is found to be a significant influence on posttest sponsor awareness in the aggregate. Significant gender differences are detected, however, in attitude toward the brand and purchase intentions for two of three product categories investigated, as females have higher mean scores for those two measures. The implications of these results are discussed and followed by recommendations for event promoters seeking to preserve the value of event sponsorships, along with defensive advertising-strategies to protect the investments of their official sponsors. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Cognitive antecedents to adolescent health risk: Discriminating between behavioral intention and behavioral willingness

A model of adolescent health risk behavior that is both cognitive and social-psychological in orientation is described, and an aspect of the model is tested empirically. The model suggests that health risk behaviors (e.g., smoking or drunk driving), especially among adolescents, are not always intended or premeditated, but instead are often reactions to risk-conducive circumstances. Because they are not entirely premeditated, such behaviors are not accurately predicted by “traditional” behavioral intention measures, but are predicted by a central construct in the model labeled behavioral willingness. Results of two studies indicate that both intention (expectation) and willingness measures predict future risk behaviors, and do so independent of one another. Additional analyses provide further evidence of discriminant validity between the two constructs by indicating that they relate differently to perceptions of personal vulnerability to the health risks associated with these behaviors.

Children's attitudes and behavioral intentions toward a peer presented as physically handicapped: A more positive view

This study assessed stereotypic attitudes and behavioral intentions of 217 elementary school children toward a peer presented on a slide as physically handicapped (in a wheelchair) or nonhandicapped (in a regular chair). On two measures of behavioral intentions (Activity Preference List and a Likert-format acceptance scale) and a measure of stereotypic attitudes (Adjective Checklist), the children consistently rated the child in the wheelchair significantly more positively than they rated the same child in a regular chair. However, highly significant negative correlations were found between age and ratings on the three measures for the handicap condition but not for the nonhandicap condition. No gender differences were obtained. The findings indicate that these children showed a high degree of acceptance of a peer presented with a handicap; however, their ratings became less positive as a function of age.

Racially Exclusive Real Estate Advertising: Public Policy Implications for Fair Housing Practices

The authors ‘field experiment indicates that including African-Americans in real estate advertisements produces a positive effect for (1) African-American readers in terms of liking the models pictured in the photographs and (2) African-American high ethnic identifiers in terms of identifying with the models pictured in the photographs. However, based on responses to the dependent measures of behavioral purchase intentions and attitude toward the advertising campaign, message, and product, the results do not support the hypothesis that racially exclusive advertising sends a racially exclusive message. A follow-up content analysis of real estate newspaper advertising suggests that cities with higher percentages of ethnic minorities are more responsive to including more ethnic minorities in real estate advertisements. However, the results do not show evidence of a chilling effect, that is, a reduction in the use of real estate advertisements with models.