A Field Comparison of Fishbein's Model and Traditional Job Attitude Measures

The present investigation studied the lab-to-field generalizability of Fishbein's attitude-behavior model and examined the relative efficacy of the Fishbein model and traditional job attitude measures as predictors of absenteeism and turnover. Predictor data were collected from 108 nursing home employees immediately preceding the two-month time period of interest. Criterion data were obtained at the end of the two-month period. Fishbein's model received some field support, particularly with respect to predicting turnover. Traditional job attitude measures were more effective predictors of absenteeism, while Fishbein's model was a more effective predictor of turnover. It was concluded that neither approach seems superior especially in light of the amounts of criterion variance accounted for.