Applying theories of behaviour change to addiction: TOPB Flashcards
Theory of planned behaviour
Theory of planned behaviour
Formulated by Ajzen
Theory of how we can change our behaviour deliberately through rational decisions - we evaluate + & - consequences
TOPB assers that behaviour can be predicted from intentions
Applied to add, TOPB aims to link intentions w/ actual changes in behaviour
TOPB suggests our intentions to use drugs arise from 3 key influences: personal attitudes, subjective norms & percieved behavioural control
Personal attitudes
Theory of planned behaviour
Combination or favourable & unfavourable opinions of their add
Personal atts are formed by person evaluating + & - consequences of their add-related behaviour
Atts may become unfavourable & will lead to reduced interest in add-related behaviour
E.g. addicted gambler may learn to associate gambling w/ outcomes (i.e. ‘I lose more money than I win’)
Gambler who evaluates outcomes in this way will likely form intention to gamble less
Subjective norms
Theory of planned behaviour
Addicted person’s beliefs about whether those who matter most approve or disapprove of their addictive behaviour
Beliefs based on what added person believe to be ‘normal’ behaviour
They consider what friends & family would think if they knew about their add
This would lead them to form an intention not to add & therefore make them less likely to add
Subjective norms: Application
Theory of planned behaviour
Add-related intention & behaviours can be altered by changing subjective norms
E.g. adolescents often overestimate extent of sub abuse in peer group
May influence their behaviour as they try to keep up w/ percieved norm
Campaigns against sub abuse (i.e. Talk to Frank) combat this by providing messaged that reveal true extent of sub abuse
Source of message has to be credible because our subjective norms are most influenced by view of people we respect
Perceived behavioural control
Theory of planned behaviour
How much control we believe we have over our behaviour (self-efficacy)
Does an added gambler believe giving up gambling is easy or difficult to do?
This depends on their perception of resoirces available to them
PBC has 2 possible effects
1. Can influence behaviour indirectly via intentions to behave - strong the belief of ability to stop, stronger the intention to stop
2. Can influence behaviour directly - greater the percieved control over behaviour means they will try for longer & harder to stop
Percieved behavioural control: Application
Theory of planned behaviour
Increasing added gambler’s self-efficacy could help them quit &/or avoid relapse
Can be done by encouraging optimistic outlook & confidence in ability not to gamble
Should also be aware that quitting & abstaining require effort
Other resources can help percieved control, such as support from others
Evaluation: Research support
Theory of planned behaviour
Strength: research evidence to support TOPB
Hagger et al had 486 ppts complete questionnaires about their alc-related behaviours (& completed them again after 1 & 3 months)
Researchers found personal atts, sub norms & PBC all correlated sigly w/ intention to limit drinking to guideline
Intentions also found to predict number fo units actually consumed after 1 month & 3 months
PBC predicted actual unit consumption directly
Therefore, findings support predictions derived from theory which suggests its valid
Evaluation: Research support (Counterpoint)
Theory of planned behaviour
However, findings of study weren’t all supportive of TOPB
Study failed to predict some alc-related behaviours
E.g. atts, norms, control & intentions didn’t correlate sigly w/ number of binge-drinking sessions after 1 or 3 months
Based of these findings, it appears success of TOPB may depend on type of add-related behaviour being measued
Therefore, even supportive researcj indicates predictive validity of TOPB is limited
Evaluation: Short-term effects
Theory of planned behaviour
Limit: research has found short-term effects only
McEachen et al conducted meta-analysis of 237 test of TOPB in predicting health behaviours
Found that strength of correlation between intentions & behaviour varied according to length of time between the two
Intention to stop drinking can predict actually giving up drinking but only if tme between intention & behaviour is less than 5 weeks
Evidence is much weaker when time interval between intention & behaviour is longer
Therefore, intentions may not predict changes to add-related behaviour in longer term, limiting usefulness of TOPB
Evaluation: Intention-behaviour gap
Theory of planned behaviour
Limit: cannot account of intention-behaviour gap
Theory cannot adequately explain how actual behaviours are caused by intentions
Miller & Howell studied gambling behaviour of underage teens
Found strong support for some parts of TOPB but key element was not supported
Intentions were not related to actual gambling behaviour
Many psychologists now question whether TOPB is a theory of behaviour change at all
Therefore, if theory cannot predict behaviour change, we cannot use it to help change behaviour
