Theory of planned behavior
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Theory of Planned Behavior: A Comprehensive Overview
Introduction to the Theory of Planned Behavior
The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), proposed by Icek Ajzen in 1985, is a psychological framework that aims to predict and understand human behavior. It posits that behavior is driven by behavioral intentions, which are influenced by three key factors: attitudes towards the behavior, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control (PBC) .
Efficacy and Predictive Power of TPB
General Efficacy
Meta-analytic reviews have demonstrated that TPB is effective in explaining and predicting various behaviors. For instance, a comprehensive review of 185 studies found that TPB accounted for 27% of the variance in behavior and 39% in intention. Similarly, another review focusing on health-related behaviors reported an average R² of 0.41 for intention and 0.34 for behavior, highlighting the model's robustness in predicting health-related actions.
Perceived Behavioral Control
Perceived behavioral control (PBC) is a significant predictor within the TPB framework. It not only influences intentions but also directly affects behavior, independent of attitudes and subjective norms . This is particularly evident in health behavior studies, where PBC has been shown to moderate the relationship between intention and behavior.
Applications in Various Domains
Health-Related Behaviors
TPB has been extensively applied to health-related behaviors, such as physical activity, diet, and treatment adherence in chronic illnesses. Studies have shown that intention is the most crucial predictor of behavior, with PBC also playing a significant role . For example, in chronic illness management, TPB explained 33% of the variance in intention and 9% in adherence behavior.
Environmental Science
In environmental science, TPB has been used to study behaviors related to waste management, green consumption, and sustainable transportation. A bibliometric analysis of 531 journal articles revealed that TPB is widely applied in this field, with significant contributions from countries like the U.S., China, and the UK.
Tourism, Leisure, and Hospitality Management
The theory has also been applied in tourism, leisure, and hospitality management (TLHM). A systematic review of 259 publications found that TPB is primarily used to understand consumer behavior, although there are fewer studies addressing managerial or employee-related issues.
Entrepreneurial Intentions
TPB has proven robust in predicting entrepreneurial intentions and actions. A longitudinal study involving participants from Austria and Finland demonstrated the theory's relevance in understanding business start-up intentions and subsequent behavior.
Physical Activity Among Individuals with Disabilities
Research has also explored the use of TPB in predicting physical activity among individuals with disabilities. Findings indicate that intention to be physically active is the strongest predictor of actual physical activity, although the predictive power of belief factors varies.
Moderating Factors
Behavior Type and Measurement
The efficacy of TPB can vary depending on the type of behavior and the method of measurement. For instance, physical activity and diet behaviors are better predicted than risk-related behaviors like safer sex or drug abstinence. Additionally, behaviors assessed through self-reports are better predicted than those measured objectively .
Sample Characteristics
Sample characteristics such as age and population type also moderate the relationships within the TPB framework. For example, student samples show better prediction for physical activity, while adolescent samples are better predicted for abstinence behaviors.
Conclusion
The Theory of Planned Behavior is a versatile and robust framework for predicting and understanding a wide range of behaviors. Its efficacy is well-supported across various domains, including health, environmental science, and entrepreneurship. While the theory's predictive power can be influenced by factors such as behavior type and sample characteristics, it remains a valuable tool for researchers and practitioners aiming to influence human behavior.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Efficacy of the Theory of Planned Behaviour: a meta-analytic review.
The Theory of Planned Behavior: A Review of its Applications to Health-Related Behaviors
Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior in Environmental Science: A Comprehensive Bibliometric Analysis
Theory of planned behavior and adherence in chronic illness: a meta-analysis
A systematic literature review of the theory of planned behavior in tourism, leisure and hospitality management research
Perceived behavioral control moderating effects in the theory of planned behavior: A meta-analysis.
An extended theory of planned behavior for parent-for-child health behaviors: A meta-analysis.
Robustness of the Theory of Planned Behavior in Predicting Entrepreneurial Intentions and Actions
Prospective prediction of health-related behaviours with the Theory of Planned Behaviour: a meta-analysis
Theory of Planned Behavior in Research Examining Physical Activity Factors Among Individuals With Disabilities: A Review.
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