ATTITUDE-BEHAVIOR RELATIONSHIPS IN TRAVEL DEMAND MODELLING

A conceptual dynamic model of the relation between attitudes and travel choice (behaviour) can be developed which distinguishes between antecedent variables (characteristics of choice alternatives and of the commuter) and process variables (attitudes and perceived availablity constraints). While antecedent variables determine the process variables, the latter are in a complex mutual adjustment mechanism with behaviour. That is, attitudes determine and are determined by behaviour as a function of availability constraints. The effect of choice upon attitudes can be studied within the framework of the psychological theory of Cognitive Dissonance. The theory asserts that after an individual makes a choice between alternatives, he will align his stated attitudes to his choice, upgrading the satisfaction with both the positive and negative attributes of the chosen alternative and downgrading those of the rejected alternatives. The theory further asserts that the magnitude of these distortions (cognitive dissonance reductions) are a function of the importance of the attributes in the decision making process. Specific hypotheses covering the relation between travel mode choice and attitudes toward the modes can be derived from Cognitive Dissonance Theory. The first two hypotheses refer to individuals for whom there are no constraints on availabilities of the model alternatives; the hypotheses predict certain relations between attitudes, as a function of choices actually made. A third hypothesis relates attitudes to choice through the effect of perceived availatility constraints. Employing data from Ottawa, Canada, the hypotheses have been confirmed. The bidirectional attitude-choice causality should be used in providing transportation planning information. Attitudes, though affected by past behaviour, appear to be indicators of potential behavioural change when the availability and/or characteristics of choice alternatives change. Attitudes are therefore critical to development of innovative transportation concepts and effective communications to promote advantages of certain transportation alternatives. /Author/

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Presented at the Third International Conference on Behavioural Travel Modelling, Tanunda, South Australia, April 3-7, 1977.
• Corporate Authors:

  General Motors Corporation

  Research and Development Center, 30500 Mound Road
  Warren, MI  United States  48090
• Authors:
  • Golob, T F
  • Horowitz, A D
  • Wachs, M
• Publication Date: 1977-9

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: 20 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Attitudes; Behavior; Computer programs; Decision making; Mathematical models; Mode choice; Psychological aspects; Transportation planning; Travel demand; Travel patterns
• Uncontrolled Terms: Models
• Old TRIS Terms: Modal selection; Substitutes
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Planning and Forecasting;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00177313
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: GMR-2398
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 19 1978 12:00AM