Theory of Planned Behavior

Question 1

In the Theory of Planned Behavior, which of the following is NOT one of the three main predictors of behavioral intention?

A. Attitude toward the behavior
B. Perceived behavioral control
C. Elaboration likelihood
D. Subjective norms

Answer 1

Elaboration Likelihood

Question 2

Which component is NOT part of the original Theory of Planned Behavior?

A) Attitude toward the behavior
B) Perceived behavioral control
C) Behavioral intention
D) Actual behavior

Answer 2

Actual Behavior

Actual behavior is a consequence of behavioral intention, not a component of the model itself.

Question 3

The Theory of Planned Behavior was developed as an extension of which earlier theory?

A) Cognitive Dissonance Theory
B) Elaboration Likelihood Model
C) Theory of Reasoned Action
D) Social Cognitive Theory

Answer 3

Theory of Reasoned Action

TPB was created to address the limitation of TRA regarding behaviors under incomplete volitional control.

Question 4

In TPB, subjective norms refer to:

A) The individual’s confidence in performing a behavior
B) The influence of peer pressure or perceived social expectations
C) The legal or moral implications of a behavior
D) The internal desire for consistency

Answer 4

The influence of peer pressure or perceived social expectations

Subjective norms are the perceived social pressure to perform or not perform a behavior

Question 5

According to TPB, what is the most immediate predictor of actual behavior?

A) Subjective norm
B) Behavioral intention
C) Perceived behavioral control
D) Attitude

Answer 5

Behavioral Intention

Behavioral intention is the strongest predictor of actual behavior in TPB

Question 6

TRUE or FALSE:

Perceived behavioral control accounts for behaviors over which individuals have limited volitional control.

Answer 6

True

TPB added perceived behavioral control to account for non-volitional behaviors.

Question 7

TRUE or FALSE:

Operationalization refers to defining theoretical concepts in measurable ways.

Answer 7

True

Operationalization translates abstract concepts (like “attitude”) into measurable indicators

Question 8

TRUE or FALSE:

According to TRA, behavioral intention is influenced solely by perceived behavioral control.

Answer 8

False

In TRA, behavioral intention is influenced by attitudes and subjective norms — perceived behavioral control is a later addition in TPB

Question 9

TRUE or FASLE:

A critique of TPB is that it does not consider emotional or irrational influences on behavior.

Answer 9

True

One critique is TPB’s rationality assumption; it may not fully account for emotional, spontaneous, or unconscious behaviors.

Question 10

What’s the difference between Theory of Reasoned Action & Theory of Planned Behavior

Answer 10

• The Theory of Reasoned Action includes attitudes and subjective norms as predictors of behavioral intention, which then predicts behavior.
• The Theory of Planned Behavior extends TRA by adding perceived behavioral control to account for behaviors not entirely under volitional control.

Question 11

Name the 3 components of TPB

Answer 11

• Attitude Toward Behavior: Personal evaluation of the behavior (positive/negative).
• Subjective Norm: Perceived social pressure to perform the behavior.
• Perceived Behavioral Control: The ease or difficulty of performing the behavior.

These three influence behavioral intention, which in turn predicts behavior. Perceived behavioral control may also directly influence behavior.

Question 12

What are assumptions of TPB

Answer 12

• Behavior is intentional
• Individuals consider consequences and social pressure

Question 13

What are limitations of TPB

Answer 13

• Assumes rational decision-making
• Often weak at predicting spontaneous or habitual behaviors
• Doesn’t always include emotional or moral dimensions unless adapted
• Measurement of PBC can be difficult