Final answer:
Implicit attitudes predict spontaneous behaviors and are influenced by unconscious evaluations, while explicit attitudes predict deliberate behaviors and are influenced by conscious control and social norms. The relationship between attitudes and behaviors is moderated by factors such as opportunity for reflection and social pressures.
Step-by-step explanation:
Implicit and explicit attitudes serve as indicators of how individuals might behave in various situations. Implicit attitudes are unconscious and automatic evaluations that can influence behavior in ways the individual may not be aware of or intentionally control. These attitudes tend to predict spontaneous behavior or behavior that occurs in a context where social norms, expectations, or pressures are minimized. On the other hand, explicit attitudes are conscious and can be directly reported by the individual. Such attitudes usually predict behaviors that are deliberate and where there is an opportunity for self-regulation and adherence to social norms. A key factor that moderates the relationship between implicit and explicit evaluations and behavior is the presence of social norms or pressures that can influence how a person acts.
Implicit vs. Explicit Attitudes and Behavior
Implicit attitudes have been shown to predict behavior particularly well when there is limited opportunity for reflection or conscious control, as seen in the research by Olson and Fazio (2001) with implicit attitude formation through classical conditioning. In contrast, explicit attitudes are likely to predict behaviors when individuals have the chance to deliberate or when their actions are visible and can be judged by others, aligning with social desirability concerns. Understanding the dual attitudes model further elucidates why some behaviors may seem incongruent with one's reported attitudes, as with the modern forms of racism and sexism where social desirability plays a significant role.