ABSTRACT: Suggests that a theory of attitudes (i.e., evaluations or effects associated
with a social object) should specify (1) how attitude objects are represented
and (2) what kind of representation constitutes an attitude. Topics addressed
include state-of-the-art attitude measurement and concerns about the construct
validity of the attitude concept. Data are presented in support of the suggestion
that strong effects of attitude on action can and do occur when the actor is not
attentionally focusing on the attitude. Data suggest that attitudes may be measured
effectively with techniques resembling those used to study implicit memory.