Date of Award

8-1971

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Clemons C. Kessler, III

Second Advisor

James Thomas

Third Advisor

Karl Jackson

Abstract

There has been much research concerning attitude change, but few studies examining concomitant changes in behavior. Those studies that have studied behavioral changes have produced inconsistent results The present study was directed at exploring the relationship between different methods of changing behavior. Forty-six undergraduate students were assigned to either a control, persuasive speech, general discussion, or problem-solving discussion conditions. Experimental conditions were measured by two dependent variables: the number of volunteers (behavioral intention) and appearance at a meeting the following day (overt behavior). With regard to behavioral intentions, persuasive speech did not differ from controls; both types of discussion were equally more effective than a persuasive speech. With regard to overt behavior, no subjects, in any condition, appeared at the meeting. It was concluded that attitudes are not necessari iy consistent with actions.

Comments

A Thesis Presented to the Department of Psychology and the Faculty of the Graduate College University of Nebraska at Omaha In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts.

Download

Included in

Psychology Commons

COinS