Addiction: The Theory of Planned Behaviour

Question 1

What does the theory of planned behaviour describe?

Answer 1

Describes how a set of 3 interacting beliefs can influence a person’s intention to change/ whether therapy’s effective or not.
All 3 components must be present for intention.

Question 2

Intention: Attitudes

Answer 2

If an individual has more negative attitudes towards their addiction than positive, they’re less likely to intend to do addictive behaviour.

Question 3

Intention: Subjective Norms

Answer 3

If an addicted person believes the people who matter the most to them disapprove of addictive behaviour, make them less likely to intend to engage in addictive behaviour, therefore less likely to actually gamble and smoke, more likely to change addictive behaviour.

Question 4

Intention: Control

Answer 4

How much control a person feels they have over their own behaviour and ability to change influences intention.
Control’s based on internal factors (how determined), external factors (support and time), past experience (have they successfully given up before.
Control’s the most important part of the model, without control a person’s still vulnerable to addiction.

Question 5

AO3: Research to support.

Answer 5

P: Haggar et al.
E: Asked over 400 ppts to complete questionnaires about their alcohol related behaviours at the start of research, and then one three months later.
E: Found personal attitudes and subjective norms correlated significantly with intention to limit drinking to match guidelines.
L: Supports theory as 3 components interact to effect individual’s intention to stop.

Question 6

AO3: Strength of Theory

Answer 6

P: Has prac apps.
E: Because principles of theory can be used to predict who therapy’s most likely to be effective for, if person’s missing one of the components, not offered therapy.
E: Help NHS prioritise limited resources on individuals with high intention to change and reduce waiting times for therapy.
L: Important part of applied psychology.

Question 7

AO3: Limitation of Theory

Answer 7

P: Rely on questionnaires, prone to social desirability bias.
E: Individuals may lie about intentions towards addiction in order to present themselves in best possible light.
E: e.g. may intend to drink within guidelines to avoid being judged.
L: Reduces validity of research.