18.2.5

(2026 Exams) Theory of Planned Behaviour

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The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB)

Ajzen (1991) developed the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) when they added a third component to the TRA.

Will power

Will power

  • This third component was the concept of a person’s perceived behavioural control.
    • For example, some people may believe that they lack the will power to give up their addiction.
  • This allows for a better, more accurate, predictive power in the model.
Importance of control

Importance of control

  • The TPB, compared to the TRA, looks at the fact that people may not always have control over their behaviour.
  • There are often obstacles that are difficult to overcome.
    • For example, in overcoming an addiction, there could be obstacles such as lack of family support or finances.
__Norman et al. (1998)__

Norman et al. (1998)

  • A study by Norman et al. (1998) discovered that binge-drinking was strongly predicted by perceived behavioural control.
  • TPB could be used to create strategies to intervene and prevent binge-drinking.
    • An example would be a programme that helps convince people that they are in control of their drinking.
Indirect influence

Indirect influence

  • The theory of planned behaviour (TPB) has two important components of how behaviour is influenced:
    • Indirectly - this is when a person believes that their behaviour is too hard and so they do not create the intention.
    • For example, they may believe quitting smoking is too difficult, so do not intend to quit.
Direct influence

Direct influence

  • Directly - this is when a person has an accurate understanding of their abilities. In other words, they are correctly aware that they do not have the level of control to change their behaviour.
    • For example, a person may not have the correct amount of willpower to stop smoking, so will not succeed.

Evaluation of TRA and TPB

There are limitations to the theory of reasoned action (TRA) and theory of planned behaviour (TPB).

Face validity

Face validity

  • Overall, both models (TRA and TPB) did not take into account the difference between a person’s attitude and their behaviour.
Intentions

Intentions

  • People may have intentions, but their behaviour is not always reflective of those intentions.
Causality

Causality

  • It is important to note that addictive behaviour can cause people to have irrational beliefs and behaviour.
  • TRA and TPB rely on people being able to make rational decisions.
Rational thinking

Rational thinking

  • People do not always act in a rational way or go through a thoughtful process of making decisions.
  • This is especially true of addicts.
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Option 3: Forensic Psychology (A2 only)

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Option 3: Addiction (A2 only)

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