Abstract
The paper argues that multi-attribute attitude theories, in spite of their widespread use, are not very successful in predicting behaviour, have flaws in their theoretical foundations, and are usually combined with measurement procedures of questionable validity. A meta-analysis of some 20 studies trying to predict consumer choice is used to support the first criticism. Cognitive psychology, especially insights about knowledge representation systems, is used to delineate theoretical flaws. The criticism of the measurement procedure is based on arguments from the qualitative/quantitative controversy. The paper closes with suggestions for alternative theoretical models and measurement procedures.
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© 1989 Kluwer Academic Publishers
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Grunert, K.G. (1989). Another Attitude Towards Multi-Attribute Attitude Theories. In: Grunert, K.G., Ölander, F. (eds) Understanding Economic Behaviour. Theory and Decision Library, vol 11. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-2470-3_13
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-2470-3_13
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-010-7614-2
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