Direct Experience with a Cancer Self-Exam: Effects on Cognitions and Behavior

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Abstract
We tested and expanded Fazio's hypothesis that direct experience enhances attitude-behavior consistency (Fazio & Zanna, 1981) to identify effects of experience on the relation of behavior to subjective norm and intention. We also monitored the endurance of the experience effect over time. In order to manipulate experience, we instructed male college students in the United States to perform the testicle self-exam (TSE) a prescribed number of times during an initial week. We compared attitude, subjective norm, intention, and self-reported behavior across experience condition and three postmanipulation times. Direct experience increased later reported TSE behavior and tended to increase attitude and intention. It also enhanced consistency of attitude, subjective norm, and intention with early reported behavior as well as intention with later reported behavior.