Attitudes, Labeling Bias, and Behavior Modification in Work Organizations

The present study investigated a labeling bias against behavior modification in work organizations. Groups of individuals in favor or opposed to the use of behavior modification in industry were formed. The identical videotape of a performance appraisal interview was shown to these subjects after half of each group had received a humanistic, and the other half a behavior modification, description of the videotape's contents. The 2 × 2 (Label × Attitude) analyses of variance revealed no evidence of a labeling bias. Although both method and leadership characteristics were rated more positively when the videotape was said to be descriptive of humanistic techniques, a significant Label × Attitude interaction emerged. The failure to yield any labeling bias is contrasted with previous research, while the need for a more "humanist ic" terminology in describing behavioral programs is emphasized.