Theory of Planned Behaviour

• :) RTS Haggar

  > asked 486 participants to complete questionnaires about their alcohol-related behaviours at the start of the research and again 3 months later - found that personal attitudes and subjective norms correlated significantly with the intention to limit drinking to match guidelines

  > perceived control predicted unit consumption

  > increases validity of the theory - the three components interact to affect an individual's intention
• :) practical applications

  > the principles of the theory can be used to predict who therapy is most likely to be successful for, e.g. if a person is missing one of the components they will not have intention to change so will not be offered therapy

  > valuable implications for the economy by helping the NHS prioritise their limited resources and reduce waiting times

  > important part of applied psychology
• :( rational decisions

  > in research, participants are asked about their intentions and attitudes towards the addictive behaviour

  > at this point they may be thinking rationally, however, when faced with their addiction their choice may be affected by emotions, stress or cognitive biases (irrational) which TPB does not account for

  > TPB is based on rational thoughts which may not be reflected in actual behaviour