Reflection Of Learning On The Theory Of Planned Behavior

This theory was first created by Ajzen and Fishbein in 1980. This theory provides a framework to study the attitudes that support behaviours and suggests that the most important determinate of an individual’s behaviour is their behavioural intent. This is the individual’s intention to preform a certain behaviour, which is formed from a combination of their attitude towards the behaviour and the subject norm. (The subject norm is the individual’s perception of what others expect them to do).

In this class we’ve learned that both Behavior Theory and Cognitive Behavior Theory both help explain human behavior through an A-B-C model or method. What are the A-B-Cs of Cognitive Behavior Theory?

planned behavior, if we want to predict a behavior we need to know three things: (1) attitude

The beliefs’ and behaviors’ models can also be called social cognition models and they can report ‘the ways beliefs predict behavior mostly via behavioural intentions” (Ogden, 2017, p. 32). But behavior changes are not always from initial intentions. We often intend to do something good, but then an unpredicted event happens, and the whole thing is disorganized. The solution for this problem is to set goals and make plans. The more specific you are, the better. You can determine the goals as SMART: specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and timely. If possible, share your plans and

An attitude refers to a set of emotions, beliefs, and behaviors that is toward a person, thing, or life event. Therefore, attitudes can have an influence on the way a person behaves. As a result, to any type of traumatic life event; it can be devastating. In which it can cause that person to become stressed and lead them to have some type of stress disorder like depression. Traumatic events can cause a behavior to drastically change in a person. Which may lead to some psychological or physical problems that may need to be addressed. However, there are treatments that are available for drastic behavior changes that requires some type of rehabilitation. One treatment that is often used for stress disorders are cognitive behavioral therapy. Wherein,

Engaging in exercise everyday would help reduce the risk of lifestyle diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The counties could also educate the people on the dangers of smoking and as such spearhead campaigns to help people quit smoking. The theory of planned behavior is used to predict deliberate behavior in individuals since behavior can be planned and deliberative. The theory could be applied in reversing the health trends in the counties with emphasis on whether to exercise or use condoms when having sex. Further, there exists a correlation between independently healthy eating behaviors with barriers, such as attitude, perceived behavioral control, and subjective norm, evident in the theory of planned behavior3. The health policymakers in the counties would have to assume that people process every piece of information and act accordingly and thus would be compelled to quit smoking and result to exercise. This theory would fit the intervention plan due to its efficiency to explain intention, perceived behavioral control being as important as attitude across health-related behavior

The Expectancy Theory suggests that individuals choose a particular course of action after they have – often subconsciously – evaluated three critical components of the theory.

A theory often used in the research of individual health behavior and behavioral intentions is the theory of planned behavior (Ajzen, 1991). According to this theory, the performance of any behavior depends on behavioral intention. Behavioral intention is viewed as being dependent on behavioral beliefs (e.g., attitude towards the behavior), normative beliefs, and control beliefs. Normative beliefs are beliefs about the expectations of others, and control beliefs are beliefs about the factors that may help or hinder the performance of the behavior. The framework for the study of physical activity discussed earlier by Armitage (2005) is based on this theory. That study found that behavioral beliefs, normative beliefs, and control beliefs all contribute to physical activity behavior.

Attitude towards the action is a learned bias to respond favorably/unfavorably and consistently with respect to the action. This includes the degree of certainty about consequences from the behavior and likely outcomes. Subjective norms consist of social pressures which try to convince the individual to comply with the desired behavior. Subjective norms also consist of normative beliefs (what others prefer us to do) and motivation to comply (our desire to do what others expect). From our attitudes and social pressures a behavioral plan is derived. Behavioral intention’s is a course of action to follow, that is, a plan to put behavior into effect. From the person’s behavioral intentions comes one’s behavior. While the theory predicts behavioral intentions, it does not necessarily predict actual behavior because people don’t always behave in accordance with their intentions – as we witness in Breaking Bad.

Theories of learning are 1) Classical conditioning (involuntary behavior) where learning is by association (Pavlov, 1927). 2) Operant conditioning (voluntary behavior) where learning is by positive or negative reinforcement [stimuli-response] (Skinner, 1938). 3) Social learning theory where learning is by imitation of others (Bandura, 1973) 4) Cognitive learning theories where learning is based on the thought processes of the individual (Bruner, 1978); Piaget, 1936). 5) Insight learning (Gestalt theory) where learning is through thinking and problem solving (Kohler, 1947)

Self persuasion theory, Chaiken (1995) identified individuals superficially rely on a heuristic cues including believing arguments involving statistical figures/facts to be more true. Therefore, incorporating relevant statistics of binge drinking can be persuasive. However, the theory of Planned Behaviour Ajzen, demonstrates that persuasion campaigns which only provide negative information (side effects of binge drinking) are not effective. Due to increasing knowledge alone is not effective in changing attitudes towards binge drinking. Whereas, campaigns in which include perceived norms, control and attitudes are more persuasive. Thereby, relevant statistics will persuade students to consider the negative impact of binge drinking, although, other information including control and perceived norms will enhance persuasiveness. An example of this within a persuasive campaign includes; Drinkaware campaigns studying drinking culture among young adults, states: "Many say they feel like they have to be drunk to have a good time. Our research shows that six in ten people aged 18-24 say they drink with the intention of getting drunk at least occasionally”. Thereby, highlighting perceived norms in relation to drinking. Drinkaware also concludes the negative impact upon health through statistics; “Regularly drinking more than two standard drinks increases your risk of alcohol caused disease including

When considering health psychology it is important to recognise the various models it is made up of. The basis of this essay will be to take a look at the health belief model and the theory of planned behaviour, considering their historical origins, the positives and negatives of applying these approaches and examples of when they have been used. After some analysis it may offer some insight into possible improvements that could be implemented from further research. Also included will be an overview of how the models compare to each other and critical evaluation of research from this field.

The Behavioural approach (also called the learning theory) focuses on the belief that our environment, e.g. people, experiences and learning, influences the development and behaviour of an individual whilst thinking the internal functions, such as thoughts and cognition, are impossible to observe, so they are not apart of the scientific approach to psychology. This theory is also based on the concept of ‘explaining behaviour through observation. Behaviourists assume individuals are born as a blank state (tabula rasa), meaning they do not think biology and cognitive functions influence our behaviour, only our environment does. A large idea that the theory hold is that behaviour can be broken down into stimulus-response units. Stimuli are anything environmental that triggers an individuals’ senses, for example, a student being asked to complete an assignment (stimulus) would respond by completing the assignment. Stimulus-response theories form the basis of classical or operant conditioning, which suggests animals and humans can learn through the relation of a response to any certain stimuli.

Do attitudes predict behaviour? It is not easy to find the correct answer to this question. The relationship between attitudes and behaviour is one of the most controversial topics in social psychology. This essay explores whether attitudes can predict behaviours using two of theories of behaviour change: Cognitive Dissonance theory (Festinger, 1957) and Self-Perception Theory (Bem, 1965, 1967).

The TPB (Ajzen, 1985; 1991) was developed following an extension of the socio psychological Theory of Reasoned Action or TRA (Ajzen and Fishbein, 1980; Fishbein and Ajzen, 1975) as a result of the original model’s limitations in dealing with behaviours over which people have incomplete volitional control. According to the theory, both attitude toward behaviour (Act) and subjective norms (SN) are immediate determinants of intention to perform behaviour. The TPB further proposes that intention to perform behaviour is the immediate cause of such behaviour. It represents motivational components, that is, the extent to which a person will exercise conscious effort in carrying out any intended behavioural actions.