Evaluating TPB

Question 1

A03 - supporting evidence

Answer 1

P - Supporting evidence for TPB as a model of behavioural change.

E - Hagger (2011) tested TPB with regards to alcohol related behaviours with 486 employees from Estonia, Finland, Sweden and UK. He found 3 factors: personal attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control.

E - Intentions were to limit alc intake. The best predicitor was percieved behavioual control. However, they weren’t able to predict binge drinking behaviour.

L - This suggests that many aspects of the TPB are clearly involved with addiction, especially belifs about your control.

• Hagger (2011)
• alcohol
• 486 emplyees
• Estonia
• Finland
• Sweden
• UK
• Personal attitudes
• Subjective norms
• Percieved behavioural control

Question 2

A03 - Too rational?

Answer 2

P - The model is critisised for explaining addictions in a way that is too rational.

E - Very few people start gambling and plan to become addicted - it could be considered an impulse disorder (ie driven by emotion that is not always rational).

E - This is likely to be the same with most addictions.

L - This suggestss that TPB may not be suitable as a complete explanation for understanding addictive behaviours reducing it’s overall usefulness.

• Too rational
• impulse disorder
• emotion

Question 3

A03 - Practical applications?

Answer 3

P - The TPB can be put to good effect in theraputic climate.

E - For example, it can practically applied in CBT sessions, and possibly homework by testing percieved behavourial control.

E - For instance, directing them to go for lunch with their family and refrain them from using their phone for gambling apps.

L - This could imply TPB can be applied to help people combat addictions, having a positive, tangible effect in society.