Social Cognition Models Flashcards
Discuss the purpose of social cognition models
To predict how attitudes influence behaviour
Describe theory of reasoned action
Intention determines behaviour, not attitudes
Intention = motivation for behaviour and is influenced by attitudes or social processes
Attitudes are related to intention and direct behaviour subjective norms also influence intention
Attitudes and subjective norms come from beliefs based on expectancy-value considerations (how likely and how good/bad)
Even if something is equally likely to happen, a negative aspect means there will more likely be a negative attitude.
Social pressure is important but can balance out if significant individuals have different views
Strong correlations have been found between beliefs underpinning attitudes and the attitudes and beliefs underpinning subjective norms
Discuss prediction of intention in theory of planned behaviour
Strong prediction for easily performed volitional behaviours
Perceived behavioural control (external or internal) is determined by beliefs based on expectancy-value considerations = unlikely an intention if know can’t do behaviour = adds significantly to prediction of intention/behaviour over and above theory of reasoned action variables
Discuss the reasoned action approach
Re-conceptualised version of TPB which considers sub-components and is supported by research
Attitudes
instrumental- cognitive benefits/risks of behaviour
affective (or experiential)- feelings associated with the behaviour
Subjective norm
injunctive- approval/disapproval from social referents
descriptive- how often others do the behaviours
Perceived behavioural control
self-efficacy (or capacity) - skill
perceived controllability- external environmental factors
When al 6 components are considered, this gives good support for TPB including re-conceptualised theory
Discuss health belief model
Originally designed to predict health behaviours
Variables that influence performance of health behaviour:
Threat perception - susceptibility and severity
Behavioural evaluation - benefits and barriers
Cues to action- anything that spurs the behaviour eg. campaigns
Health motivation- readiness to be concerned
Meta-analysis found small correlations between these variables and behaviour
Cues to action and health motivation have received relatively little research attention
Discuss support for TPB should be retired
Issues with critique:
Argues experimental tests rare and don’t support theory based on review of 24 studies despite more existing
Excludes unconscious influences and role of emotion on behaviour
Difficult to falsify hypotheses
Critique:
Beliefs are better predictors of behaviour than intentions
Habit strength, motivation, anticipated regret and identity predict behaviour over and above TPB measures
Model best for young, fit, affluent individuals self-reporting short-term behaviour
Use of correlations
Doesn’t consider how cognitions change
Doesn’t help develop interventions
Scientists now use extended forms of the theory
Discuss the response to suggestions TPB should be retired
The model includes feedback loops so is not static and does consider the effect of behaviour on cognition
Adding more variables to the model improves prediction of intentions and the TPB model doesn’t prevent this if they are justified
TPB is not effective in behaviour change interventions as it is meant to help predict, not change
To retire this theory there is need for a better alternative
Discuss potential limitations of TPB/RAA methodology
Prediction and measures of behaviour (model mostly based on studies measuring intention rather than behaviour)
There may be other predictors of intentions and behaviour (eg. direct effect of affective attitudes, moral obligation, anticipated regret, self-identity, past behaviour/habit)
Most evidence is from correlational studies
Behavioural studies were mostly self-report so vulnerable to:
cognitive biases- primacy effect (remember first and last behaviours but not middle), recency effect (remember most recent behaviours)
affective biases (emotional/mood state can play a role)
There is a need for other theories as other variables have been found to directly predict intentions and behaviour (eg. moral obligation) but TPB is posited as a complete model
Discuss modern TPB research
Focuses on predicting intentions but fewer look at predicting behaviours
Measuring intention to comply with a behaviour then later measuring self-reported behaviour and observed behaviour using a simulator found intentions were a good predictor of self-reported behaviour and observed behaviour
Suggests intention rather than perceived control predicts behaviour
List variables which could impact intentions
Attitude towards behaviour
Subjective norms
Perceived behavioural control
Also, demographics, personality etc. which are external to the model
Discuss anticipated regret with regards to TPB/RAA
Extent individuals anticipate feelings of regret from a behaviour
The greater this is, the less likely they are to perform a behaviour
This has an independent predictive effect on intentions, impacting the likelihood of behaviour
Discuss moral norms with regards to TPB/RAA
Perception of whether performing a behaviour is morally right or wrong
Morally obliged = more likely to develop an intention = direct impact on behaviour
Discuss past behaviour with regards to TPB/RAA
Extent behaviour has been performed in the past = single strongest predictor of intentions and future behaviour
However, doesn’t explaining why people will behave in future = could habits play a role?
