Applying theories of behaviour to change addiction: Theoryof planned behaviour

Question 1

What is theories of planned behaviour and who was it formulated by?

Answer 1

It was formulated by Azjen -> cognitive theory that states that in addition to attitudes and subjective norms, individuals must have personal, voluntary control over the behaviour they wish to engage in.

Question 2

TPB suggests addiction related behaviour can be predicted from a person’s intentions. These intention arise from three key influences, what are they?

Answer 2

Personal attitudes
Subjective norms
Perceived behavioural control

Question 3

1. Personal attitudes

Answer 3

An addicted person’s attitudes are a combination of favourable and unfavourable opinions about their addiction, formed by rationally evaluating positive and negative consequences of their behaviour.

Shifting balance towards unfavourable attitudes should reduce addiction- related behaviour

e.g associating gambling with outcomes like ‘I lose more money than I win’
-> intention not to gamble
e.g 2 our individual attitude to smoking might include tobacco is relaxing and makes me feel good, but it makes me cough in the morning, costs a lot of money, and smells bad

Question 4

2. Subjective norms
   - beliefs about what others think

Answer 4

A person’s subjective awareness of social norms relating to addictive behaviour is formed from…
- Injunction form, what we believe out ‘significant others’ feel about the behaviour
- Descriptive form - perception of what others are actually doing

Would a addicted gambler’s family disapprove of their gambling ? If yes -> forming an intention not to gamble

Question 5

2. Subjective norms
   - application

Answer 5

Aim to change subjective norms to reduce addiction related intentions and behaviours

Many campaigns against substance abuse (e.g Talk to Frank) combat this by providing messages that reveal the true extent of substance abuse in peers (i.e its a minority)

Question 6

3. Perceived behaviour control
   - beliefs about our ability to change our behaviour.

Answer 6

How much control we believe we have over our behaviour (self efficacy) e.g does the addicted gambler believe they are able to give up

There are two possible effects of perceived behavioural control
1. Indirect influence via intentions - the stronger the self-efficacy, the stronger the intention to stop gambling
2. Direct influence - the greater the perceived control, the longer and harder the addict will try to stop (only one of three TPB elements that has direct influence on behaviour)

Question 7

3. Perceived behaviour control
   - application

Answer 7

Increasing gambler’s self efficacy helps them to stop of avoid relapse e.g encourage optimistic outlook and confidence in ability to change, also awareness that change requires effort

Question 8

One strength of TPB

Answer 8

Research support

Question 9

EVALUATION: Research support

Answer 9

Participants in Hagger et al.’s study answered a questionnaire regarding behaviours related to alcohol. Intentions to restrict alcohol use were highly linked with attitudes, norms, and perceived control.

After one and three months, intentions were a good indicator of actual alcohol intake. Direct actual consumption was predicted by perceived behaviour control.

These findings support the theory’s predictions and imply that it is valid

Question 10

Extra mini strength

Answer 10

A strength of TPB is that it takes into account the influence of peers (subjective norms), which is significant in both the beginning of the behaviour and its maintenance (SLT and operant conditioning )

Question 11

COUNTERPOINT TO HAGGER

Answer 11

However the study failed to predict some alcohol related behaviours (e.g binge drinking), so the success of the TPB depends on the behaviour being measured

This suggests that even supportive research indicates that the predictive validity of the TPB is limited

Question 12

What are four limitations of TPB

Answer 12

Short term effects
Cannot explain intention behaviour gap
Relies on self report questionnaires
Does not consider emotion

Question 13

EVALUATION: Short term effects

Answer 13

McEachan et al.’s meta analysis of 237 tests revealed that the relationship between two intentions and behaviour changed with the amount of time that passed between them.

The evidence that intentions influence behaviour over the long run is much weaker. Intentions to stop drinking can only predict actual stopping for a period of five weeks.

As a result, intentions might not accurately foresee long-term changes in behaviour related to addiction, which would reduce the TPB’s effectiveness.

Question 14

EVALUATION: Cannot explain intention behaviour gap

Answer 14

Miller and Howell investigated underage teen gambling. Their attitudes, perceived control, norms, were all tied to stopping.

However, the key element was unsupported because the intentions had nothing to do with the real gambling activity.

Consequently, we can’t use the theory for help in changing behaviour if it is unable to predict behaviour change.

Question 15

EVALUATION: Does not consider emotion

Answer 15

The theory does not consider emotion as a key factor in addiction, focusing instead on the less emotional processes involved such as motivation and beliefs which limits its scope as an explanation of behaviour change

Question 16

EVALUATION: Relies on self report questionnaires

Answer 16

The model relies mainly on self-report questionnaires as a research method which is a problem, as individuals may show social desirability effect and downplay the level of their addiction, meaning the results may lack internal validity

Question 17

LINK TO ISSUES AND DEBATES

Answer 17

The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) is a free will theory that posits that behaviour is influenced by a person’s intentions, attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived control, ultimately resulting from their free will to exert self-control over these behaviours.

Question 18

LINK TO APPROACHES

Answer 18

The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) is a cognitive theory that explains behaviour change through individual intentions, including behavioural attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control. Subjective norms are influenced by an individual’s perception of their family and friends.