The Theory of Planned Behavior

Perceived behavioral control

This refers to a person's perception of the ease or difficulty of performing the behavior of interest. This construct varies across situations and actions, which results in a person having varying perceptions of behavioral control depending on the situation. This construct of the theory was added later, and created the shift from the Theory of Reasoned Action to the Theory of Planned Behavior.

Subjective norms

This refers to the belief about whether most people approve or disapprove of the behavior. It relates to a person's beliefs about whether peers and people of importance to the person think he or she should engage in the behavior.

Social norms

This refers to the customary codes of behavior in a group or people or larger cultural context. These are considered normative, or standard, in a group of people

Attitudes .

This refers to the degree to which a person has a favorable or unfavorable evaluation of the behavior of interest. It entails a consideration of the outcomes of performing the behavior.

Behavioral intention

This refers to the motivational factors that influence a given behavior where the stronger the intention to perform the behavior, the more likely the behavior will be performed.

Perceived power

This refers to the perceived presence of factors that may facilitate or impede performance of a behavior. It contributes to a person's perceived behavioral control over each of those factors.