ABSTRACT
A key function ascribed to attitudes has been the utilitarian one of guiding behavior in ways that are beneficial to the individual. The theoretical centrality of this function is clear from the myriad definitions that have been proposed for the term attitude, most of which either define attitude as a predisposition to behave in a certain way (Allport, 1935) or include behavior as one component of attitude itself (e.g., Rosenberg & Hovland, 1960). The utilitarian or behavior-guiding function of attitudes is especially important to practitioners and researchers who are attempting to apply attitude theory to real world problems, such as low worker productivity, health threatening behaviors, and discrimination against minorities.
