What is theory of Planned Behavior?
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Understanding the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB)
Introduction to the Theory of Planned Behavior
The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) is a psychological framework developed by Icek Ajzen in 1985 to predict and understand human behavior in specific contexts. It extends the Theory of Reasoned Action by including perceived behavioral control as a key factor influencing intentions and actions. TPB posits that behavior is directly influenced by behavioral intentions, which are shaped by three core components: attitudes towards the behavior, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control .
Core Components of TPB
Attitudes Toward the Behavior
Attitudes refer to the degree to which a person has a favorable or unfavorable evaluation of the behavior in question. Positive attitudes towards a behavior increase the likelihood of forming strong intentions to perform that behavior .
Subjective Norms
Subjective norms involve the perceived social pressure to perform or not perform a behavior. This component considers the influence of people important to the individual, such as family, friends, and colleagues. However, subjective norms are often found to be weaker predictors of intentions compared to attitudes and perceived behavioral control .
Perceived Behavioral Control (PBC)
Perceived behavioral control refers to the perceived ease or difficulty of performing the behavior, which is assumed to reflect past experiences and anticipated obstacles. PBC not only influences intentions but can also directly affect behavior, especially when individuals have incomplete volitional control over the behavior .
Applications of TPB
Health-Related Behaviors
TPB has been extensively applied to predict health-related behaviors, such as physical activity, diet, and smoking cessation. Research indicates that attitudes and perceived behavioral control are significant predictors of intentions, which in turn predict actual behavior. The model's efficiency varies across different health behaviors, with intention being the most consistent predictor .
Environmental Science
In environmental science, TPB has been used to understand behaviors related to waste management, green consumption, and sustainable transportation. Studies show that TPB effectively predicts environmental behaviors, with perceived behavioral control and attitudes being crucial determinants.
Physical Activity Among Individuals with Disabilities
TPB has also been applied to study physical activity among individuals with disabilities. Findings suggest that intention is the strongest predictor of physical activity behavior, although the influence of belief factors can vary.
Parent-for-Child Health Behaviors
An extended version of TPB has been used to examine behaviors performed by parents to promote their children's health. This research highlights that attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control predict parental intentions, which in turn influence health-promoting behaviors.
Inclusive Education
TPB has been utilized to assess teachers' intentions towards practicing inclusive education. While TPB can predict teachers' intentions, the link between these intentions and actual inclusive practices remains less clear.
Tourism, Leisure, and Hospitality Management
In the field of tourism, leisure, and hospitality management, TPB has been widely used to understand consumer behavior. The theory's feasibility and validity have been confirmed, although most studies rely on survey-based methods, which pose certain limitations.
Entrepreneurial Intentions
TPB has proven robust in predicting entrepreneurial intentions and subsequent business start-up behaviors. Longitudinal studies in Austria and Finland demonstrate the theory's relevance in understanding the intention-behavior relationship in entrepreneurship.
Conclusion
The Theory of Planned Behavior is a versatile and robust framework for predicting and understanding a wide range of behaviors. Its core components—attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control—provide valuable insights into the formation of behavioral intentions and the execution of actions. Despite some limitations, TPB remains a widely used and effective model in various domains, including health, environmental science, education, and entrepreneurship.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Efficacy of the Theory of Planned Behaviour: a meta-analytic review.
Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior in Environmental Science: A Comprehensive Bibliometric Analysis
Theory of Planned Behavior in Research Examining Physical Activity Factors Among Individuals With Disabilities: A Review.
The Theory of Planned Behavior: A Review of its Applications to Health-Related Behaviors
An extended theory of planned behavior for parent-for-child health behaviors: A meta-analysis.
Causality in the Theory of Planned Behavior
Prospective prediction of health-related behaviours with the Theory of Planned Behaviour: a meta-analysis
Applying the theory of planned behaviour in assessments of teachers’ intentions towards practicing inclusive education: a scoping review
A systematic literature review of the theory of planned behavior in tourism, leisure and hospitality management research
Robustness of the Theory of Planned Behavior in Predicting Entrepreneurial Intentions and Actions
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