Vested interest, symbolic politics, and attitude-behavior consistency

Considerable research suggests the relevance of vested interest for attitude-behavior consistency. Conversely, symbolic politics theory holds that self-interest is irrelevant for attitude valence and related attitude phenomena. Rather, attitudes acquired early in life generalize to other issues and motivate actions, even actions contrary to self-interest. The present research replicates and extends the findings of an earlier symbolic politics study (D. O. Sears, C. P Hensler, & L. K. Speer, 1979) on the mandated busing of school children (N > 1,300). Analysis of the archival data revealed that vested interest is a significant moderator of (racial) attitude-criterion consistency and of attitude-behavior consistency as well. The results are taken as supportive of both the vested interest and the symbolic politics orientations and form the basis of a position that suggests both schools of thought can coexist.