Predicted and Observed Activity Patterns in Campus Settings

Abstract

In this study a time-sharing computer was used to obtain student predictions of the behavioral activities of others in familiar campus settings. Results were then compared with actual on-site observations of the same activities. Students accurately predicted the relative frequencies of different activities but overestimated absolute frequencies. Since predictions and observations were linearly related, however, it is possible to secure accurate behavioral information without incurring the procedural costs associated with direct observation.