3.17 Prediction without Influence

But even if the behavior is caused by the attitudes, this study tells us nothing about how to change their attitudes. To change or influence their attitudes about smoking, we would have to manipulate some aspect of their environment. For example, health education or advice from parents might change their attitudes. This study might tell us how to predict their attitudes about smoking or their smoking behavior. But it doesn’t tell us directly how to influence or change either of these things. Let’s look at some more examples.