title: Measurement Models for Reasoned Action Theory.
abstract: Quantitative researchers distinguish between causal and effect indicators. What are the analytic problems when both types of measures are present in a quantitative reasoned action analysis? To answer this question, we use data from a longitudinal study to estimate the association between two constructs central to reasoned action theory: behavioral beliefs and attitudes toward the behavior. The belief items are causal indicators that define a latent variable index while the attitude items are effect indicators that reflect the operation of a latent variable scale. We identify the issues when effect and causal indicators are present in a single analysis and conclude that both types of indicators can be incorporated in the analysis of data based on the reasoned action approach.
authors.affiliation: Annenberg Public Policy Center, University of Pennsylvania, 202 S. 36  Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hennessy
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bleakley
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fishbein