Addiction - theory of planned behaviour Flashcards
What are the three main components that determine behavioural intention according to TPB?
Behavioural Attitude
Subjective Norms
Perceived Behavioural Control
What does the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) predict?
It predicts that an individual’s intention to engage in a behaviour (e.g. taking drugs, quitting smoking) determines whether they will actually do it.
What is behavioural attitude in TPB?
It refers to a person’s personal views towards a behaviour, based on their beliefs about the consequences (e.g. “If I quit smoking, I’ll feel healthier.”).
What are subjective norms in TPB?
Subjective norms are the social pressures an individual feels. They include:
Injunctive norms: What we believe others think we should do.
Descriptive norms: What we believe others are actually doing.
What is perceived behavioural control in TPB?
It’s an individual’s belief in their ability to carry out a behaviour, influenced by:
Internal factors (e.g. skills, confidence)
External factors (e.g. support, obstacles)
Also referred to as self-efficacy.
How does high perceived behavioural control affect addiction?
If someone believes they have control, they are more likely to try quitting and to persist in quitting an addictive behaviour.
How can TPB be used in addiction intervention and treatment?
TPB provides a framework to understand the motivations and influences behind addictive behaviour. It can guide interventions that aim to change attitudes, challenge social norms, and boost self-efficacy.
Why is TPB useful in preventing addiction?
It allows researchers and clinicians to predict and influence behaviour by targeting intentions through modifying beliefs, social norms, and perceived control.
What is some research support for TPB?
Conner et al (2006) investigated the role of planned behaviour in smoking initiation in 11-12 year olds. They tested 675 non-smoking adolescents with various baseline measures including TPB, and nine months later they checked whether any of the adolescents had taken up smoking. It was found that behavioural intentions were a good predictor of later smoking behaviour in adolescents. This supports the TPB’s assumption that intentions can predict addictive behaviour.
What is a strength of Conner et al’s research?
They used carbon monoxide breath monitors, reducing the influence of self-report bias and strengthening the evidence for TPB. This increases the internal validity of the study.
How has the TPB been successfully applied in real-life prevention campaigns?
The US ONDCP 2005 anti-marijuana campaign influenced teen attitudes by showing that drug use was inconsistent with autonomy and aspirations—changing attitudes to reduce drug use. As this target on attitudes is suggested to be key to the success of the campaign, it would indicate the planned behaviour can be used in real life examples of reducing addiction.
What is a limitation of TPB?
TPB explains intentions but often fails to predict actual behaviour. Howell (2005) found that intentions predicted gambling thoughts, but not behaviour, limiting the model’s practical use. If the theory cannot predict behaviour change, it becomes very difficult to create drug-related interventions that bridge the gap between intention to reduce addictive behaviours and the actual behaviours themselves. The model therefore may not have practical applications.
Why might TPB be too simplistic as a model of addiction?
TPB ignores emotions, compulsions, peer influence, and genetic factors—key influences in addiction. It assumes behaviour is fully rational and conscious, which may not apply to addicts.
What is a limitation of research into TPB?
Most research relies on self-reports, which are prone to social desirability bias—people may give answers that make them look good rather than reflect true thoughts, potentially weakening data reliability.
How does TPB raise the issue of determinism in addiction?
TPB assumes conscious control over behaviour, but many addicts feel their behaviour is uncontrollable due to cravings, genetics, or habit—raising debates around free will vs. determinism.
