The assumption that a person’s attitudes determine his or her behaviour is deeply ingrained in Western thinking, and in many instances the assumption holds. However, research has shown that the relationship between attitudes and behaviour is complex. A classic study conducted during the 1930s was the first to question the link. A white professor travelled across the US with a young Chinese couple. At that time, there was quite strong prejudice against Asians, and there were no laws against racial discrimination. The three travellers stopped at over 200 hotels, motels and restaurants, and were served at all the restaurants and all but one of the hotels and motels without problem. Later, a letter was sent to all of the establishments visited, asking them whether or not they would accept a Chinese couple as guests. Of the 128 replies received, 92 per cent said they would not. In other words, these proprietors expressed attitudes that were much more prejudiced than their behaviour.