Predicting attitude intensity, certainty, and subjective knowledge: What role do procedural justice expectations play in subsequent attitude strength

The examination of expectations as a general determinant of attitude strength has been largely ignored. Moreover, procedural justice researchers have not investigated extensively the role of expectations in the evaluation of justice procedures. Relying on the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM) and the "disconfirmation of expectancies" literature, the Expectations Discrepancy Model is proposed which suggests that disconfirmation of an individual's prior expectations following a procedural justice experience will lead to the development of an intense and certain attitude, while it will have no influence on respondents' self-reports of knowledge. The current research sought to test this new model. It also sought to examine individuals' expectations as a possible determinant of attitude strength. One hundred eleven new recruits undergoing police academy training served as respondents to two questionnaires, one administered on the first day of academy training, and one administered three months into training. Questionnaire A measured respondents' expectations regarding several aspects of the upcoming academy experience. Questionnaire A also contained several social and demographic questions. Questionnaire B measured respondents' evaluation of these same aspects of training, as well as the certainty and intensity with which each of these attitudes was held. Respondents' subjective knowledge regarding each aspect of training was also measured. Following simple and multiple regression techniques, results revealed little support for the Expectations Discrepancy Model; discrepancy scores were not better predictors of attitude strength than were expectations or subsequent evaluations. Moreover, findings for subjective knowledge were similar to findings for intensity and certainty; discrepancy scores were no less predictive of subjective knowledge than they were of the other 2 strength constructs. Other findings regarding respondent expectations revealed that, although evaluations were most predictive of attitude intensity, certainty, and subjective knowledge, respondents' expectations prior to undergoing training were also predictive of these attitude strength constructs in many instances. This latter finding may have implications for attitude strength investigators, since it lends support to the notion that expectations may be a determinant of attitude strength. There may also be implications for procedural justice researchers since expectations were related to the strength of attitudes regarding procedures encountered during academy training. Recommendations for future research are discussed.