Theory of planned behavior

E:

ALBARRACIN ET AL found that the research on the TPB is almost entirely correlational. Use of to assess attitudes and intentions questionnaires= social desirability bias (poor predictors of actual behavior)

C2:

HIGH EXTERNAL VALIDITY NOMOTHETIC MODEL USEFUL APPLICATIONS

P:

Methodological flaws

Behavioral Attitude:

Formed on the basis of beliefs about the consequences of performing this behavior and an appraisal of the value of these consequences. SLATER ET AL 2011 - analysed the effectiveness of the US Office of National Drug Control Policy campaign to lower teenage marijuana use. A review of this campaign attributes its success to its influence in creating a different attitude toward the effect of marijuana use. Previously campaigns have focused on risk of abuse but teenagers are not risk avoidant so the campaign launched 'Above the influence' trying to create a different attitude towards the effect that is inconsistent with being autonomous and achieving aspirations.

Subjective Norms:

Individual's subjective awareness of social norms relating to that particular behaviour, including the 'injunctive norm' (perceived right thing to do) and the 'descriptive norm' (what others actually do). In order to prevent addiction WILSON & KILANDER concluded that Anti-drug campaigns often give adolescents data about the percentage of people engaging in drug taking behaviour. Accurate statistical information should correct subjective norms as part of an effective campaign to prevent such habits

C2:

LOW IV USEFUL APPLICATIONS LIMITED

C1:

Matches the theory as targeting the 3 functions of intention may have the desired effect of preventing addiction as seen through the research.

C1:

Not clear whether any one component of the model (e.g. behavioural attitude) has caused behaviour change meaning the theory of planned behaviour is not as effective in predicting/ preventing addiction when cause and effect cannot be established with either one of the components.

Perceived Behavioral control:

Perceived behavioural control is a further behavioural intention. It assesses whether or not you believe you can perform the behaviour in question (i.e. your self-belief/self-efficacy). Whether outside factors may influence your ability to do a behaviour. GODIN ET AL (2002) found that the 3 elements of the Theory of planned behaviour helped to explain intentions but only perceived behavioural control was the most important predictor of ultimate behaviour. He concluded that Prevention programmes should help smokers to focus on the willpower required to give up smoking and also alert smokers to the effort required to modify behaviours i.e. through CBT

P:

Supporting evidence

E:

The TPB has been successfully applied in the prediction of a wide range of social behaviours, including drug use (UMEH AND PATEL), stopping smoking (RISE ET AL) and healthy eating (CONNER ET AL)

P:

The theory of planned behaviour can be used as an explanatory framework in order to understand the processes that lead to addiction and how to prevent the manifestation of addiction An individual's decision to engage in a particular behavior can be directly predicted by their intention to engage in that behavior. AZJEN 1988 - Intention is a function of 3 factors: Behavioural attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control.