• Login
    View Item 
    •   Athenaeum Home
    • University of Georgia Theses and Dissertations
    • University of Georgia Theses and Dissertations
    • View Item
    •   Athenaeum Home
    • University of Georgia Theses and Dissertations
    • University of Georgia Theses and Dissertations
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    The theory of planned behavior in message design : testing the effectiveness of statistical evidence in messages about genetically modified foods

    Thumbnail
    Date
    2002-12
    Author
    Silk, Kami J
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Abstract
    The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) identifies three constructs, attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral, which are useful in predicting behavioral intentions toward an attitude object (Ajzen, 1985). A 3 (evidence type) x 4 (message topic) between-subjects design was used in this study to test the utility of the TPB in predicting behavioral intentions toward genetically modified (GM) foods and to examine the influence of statistical evidence on attitudes and behavioral intentions toward GM foods. Participants (N = 431) completed measures of math anxiety and math self-efficacy prior to a reading a risk message pertaining to GM foods or a control message. Participants then completed measures of message comprehension, attitudes, perceived behavioral control, subjective norms, and behavioral intentions toward GM foods as well as measures of their math ability and demographic information. Messages were collapsed based on pilot results that indicated they were equivalent and results supported the utility of the TPB in predicting behavioral intentions. There was not a main effect for evidence type on attitudes toward GM foods. Evidence type was significantly related to comprehension such that presentations that included a bar graph were comprehended more than the percentage formats. Significant negative correlations were found to exist between math self-anxiety and the variables of math self-efficacy and math ability. Math ability was positively correlated with comprehension of messages. However, comprehension was not a significant predictor of negative attitudes toward GM foods, perhaps due to a sleeper effect. Overall, these and other results are discussed in terms of the importance of using theory to guide message construction and the significance of the math competency construct. Limitations of the study and implications for future research are also discussed.
    URI
    http://purl.galileo.usg.edu/uga_etd/silk_kami_j_200212_phd
    http://hdl.handle.net/10724/20670
    Collections
    • University of Georgia Theses and Dissertations

    About Athenaeum | Contact Us | Send Feedback
     

     

    Browse

    All of AthenaeumCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects

    My Account

    LoginRegister

    About Athenaeum | Contact Us | Send Feedback