A Conceptual Model of Psychological Commitment Based on the Concept of Attitude Strength

• Other Authors: Ha, Jae-Hyun (authoraut)
• Format: Others
• Language: English; English
• Published: Florida State University
• Subjects: Sports sciences
• Online Access: http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_migr_etd-4348

This study is introduced with a review of Funk and James (2001), Funk, Haugtvedt, and Howard (2000), and Krosnick and Petty (1995), which provide the basis for measuring psychological commitment. It is proposed that a better understanding of the concept of attitude strength may provide insight into the antecedents and the primary evidence (resistance to change) of psychological commitment. More specifically, Funk et al. (2000) suggest that various attitudinal properties (e.g., knowledge, extremity, importance) may function as antecedents of psychological commitment. This understanding provides a direction for conceptualizing and measuring the factors comprising psychological commitment to a sports team. The conceptual model of psychological commitment to a sports team proposed that the antecedents of psychological commitment are represented by nine attitude properties, categorized into three strength-related dimensions: (1) cognitive structure - affective reaction, cognitive reaction, amount of knowledge, direct experience, and accessibility, (2) subjective beliefs - personal relevance, certainty, and importance of the attitude object, and (3) attitude valence - extremity attributes. The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of the antecedents of psychological commitment to a sports team through a conceptual model based on the concept of attitude strength, and the causal relationship between psychological commitment to a sports team and resistance to changing team allegiance. Based upon the results of the pilot study and preliminary analysis of the main study, accessibility, direct experience, and personal relevance were dropped. In doing so, the proposed model of psychological commitment was revised. The measurement models and the structural model were analyzed. The results of the measurement models indicated that the proposed model of psychological commitment to a sports team was confirmed as well as the results of structural model indicated that resistance to changing team allegiance was directly influenced by psychological commitment to a sports team. The findings of this study will contribute not only to an extension of the knowledge base of psychological commitment to a sports team in the area of sport marketing, but also to practical applications for sport-team marketers and managers. The findings of this study suggest several directions for future study. === A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Sport Management, Recreation Management, and Physical Education in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. === Fall Semester, 2005. === November 18, 2005. === Psychological Commitment, Attitude Strength === Includes bibliographical references. === Jeffrey James, Professor Directing Dissertation; Leisa Flynn, Outside Committee Member; Jerome Quarterman, Committee Member; Harry Kwon, Committee Member; Joohyun Lee, Committee Member.