Revathi keeps telling her friends that she is fond of classical music. Her friends notice that she, however, does not attend classical music concerts. One of her friends is associated with a musical group, and frequently orgnises classical concerts. He offers her tickets on a few occasions for the concerts but she shows no interest.
What probable explanations can be given for her conduct?
1. She may be a hypocrite pretending to be an art lover.
2. She may belazy.
3. This type of inconsistency is common since individuals lack the necessary energy and drive to pursue their interests.
4. Revathi may be too busy with her other tasks to find time for attending classical music concerts.
The first answer choice could be a possibility. But there is no reason to assume that she will gain anything by her pretence. Hence, this can be ruled out.
The second answer may be true but it is too general and can apply to many situations. It is an insufficient explanation of her conduct in this case.
The third and fourth answer choices can be selected as probable explanations. The third option mentions a commonly observed lack of correlation between people’s beliefs, attitudes and interests and their behaviour. Revathi’s behaviour shows this lack of correspondence between her avowed interest and behaviour. The third reason is psychological. The fourth reason links her behaviour to her other preoccupations and can be a plausible explanation.
Normally, we expect an individual to hold views which are consistent with his attitudes. We believe that an individual’s thinking will be marked by cognitive consistency. This is the theory that people try to be consistent in their attitudes, views and in their behaviour.