In the realm of social psychology, the relationship between attitudes and actions has been explored through various theoretical frameworks. The Theory of Planned Behavior posits that behavior is driven by intentions, which are influenced not only by attitudes but also by subjective norms and perceived behavioral control. For example, if a person believes that recycling is beneficial (positive attitude), feels social pressure to recycle (subjective norm), and believes they have the means to do so (perceived control), they are more likely to engage in that behavior. However, some theorists argue that mere attitudes are not sufficient predictors of actions without considering the influence of situational factors and cognitive dissonance.
Considering this framework, which of the following statements best encapsulates the complex interaction between attitudes and actions as proposed by social psychology?