The theory of reasoned action (TRA), developed by Martin Fishbein and Icek Ajzen (1975, 1980), derived from previous research that started out as the theory
of attitude, which led to the study of attitude and behavior. The theory was, “born largely out of frustration with traditional
attitude-behavior research, much of which found weak correlations between attitude measures and performance of volitional
behaviors” (Hale, Householder, & Greene, 2003, p. 259).
Definition and Example
Derived from the social psychology setting, The theory of reasoned action(TRA) was first proposed by Azjen and Fishbein (1975
& 1980). The components of TRA are three general constructs- 1)behavioral intention, 2)attitude, and 3) subjective norm. TRA
suggests that a person's behavioral intention depends on the person's attitude about the behavior and subjective norms (BI = A
+SN). If a person intends to do a behavior then it is likely that the person will do it. Furthermore a person's intentions are
themselves guided by two things: the person's attitude towards the behavior and the subjective norm. Behavioral intention
measures a person's relative strength of intention to preform a behavior. Attitude is comprised of beliefs about the consequences
of performing the behavior mulitplied by his or her valuation of these consequences. Subjective norm is seen as a combination of
perceived expectations from relevant individuals or groups along with intentions to comply with these expectations. In other
words, "the person's perception that most people who are important to him or her think he should or should not perform the
behavior in question" (Azjen and Fishbein, 1975).
To put the definition into simple terms: a person's volitional (voluntary) behavior is predicted by his/her attitude toward
that behavior and how he/she thinks other people would view them if they performed the behavior. A person’s attitude, combined
with subjective norms, forms his/her behavioral intention.
Fishbein and Ajzen say, though, that attitudes and norms are not weighted equally in predicting behavior. “Indeed, depending
on the individual and the situation, these factors might be very different effects on behavioral intention; thus a weight is
associated with each of these factors in the predictive formula of the theory. For example, you might be the kind of person who
cares little for what others think. If this is the case, the subjective norms would carry little weight in predicting your
behavior” (Miller, 2005, p. 127).
Miller (2005) defines each of the three components of the theory as follows and uses the example of embarking on a new
exercise program to illustrate the theory:
- Attitudes: the sum of beliefs about a particular behavior weighted by evaluations of these beliefs
- You might have the beliefs that exercise is good for your health, that exercise makes you look good, that exercise takes too
much time, and that exercise is uncomfortable. Each of these beliefs can be weighted (e.g., health issues might be more important
to you than issues of time and comfort).
- Subjective norms: looks at the influence of people in one’s social environment on his/her behavioral intentions; the
beliefs of people, weighted by the importance one attributes to each of their opinions, will influence one’s behavioral intention
- You might have some friends who are avid exercisers and constantly encourage you to join them. However, your spouse might
prefer a more sedentary lifestyle and scoff at those who work out. The beliefs of these people, weighted by the importance you
attribute to each of their opinions, will influence your behavioral intention to exercise, which will lead to your behavior to
exercise or not exercise.
- Behavioral intention: a function of both attitudes toward a behavior and subjective norms toward that behavior, which
has been found to predict actual behavior.
- Your attitudes about exercise combined with the subjective norms about exercise, each with their own weight, will lead you to
your intention to exercise (or not), which will then lead to your actual behavior.
Utility
The theory of reasoned action has “received considerable and, for the most part, justifiable attention within the field of
consumer behavior…not only does the model appear to predict consumer intentions and behavior quite well, it also provides a
relatively simple basis for identifying where and how to target consumers’ behavioral change attempts” (Sheppard, Hartwick, &
Warshaw, 1988, p. 325).
Hale et al. (2003) say the TRA has been tested in numerous studies across many areas including dieting (Sejwacz, Ajzen, &
Fishbein, 1980), using condoms (Greene, Hale, & Rubin, 1997), consuming genetically engineered foods (Sparks, Shepherd, &
Frewer, 1995), and limiting sun exposure (Hoffman, 1999).
Formula
In its simplest form, the TRA can be expressed as the following mathematical function:
BI = (AB)W1 + (SN) W2
BI = behavioral intention
(AB) = one’s attitude toward performing the behavior
W = empirically derived weights
SN = one’s subjective norm related to performing the behavior
(Source: Hale, 2003)
Limitations and Extensions
Sheppard et al. (1988) agree with the theory but make exceptions for certain situations when they say “a behavioral intention
measure will predict the performance of any voluntary act, unless intent changes prior to performance or unless the intention
measure does not correspond to the behavioral criterion in terms of action, target, context, time-frame and/or specificity” (p.
325). So, in reference to the above example, if prior to your exercising you learn you have a medical condition, this may affect
your behavioral intention.
Sheppard et al (1988) say there are three limiting conditions on 1) the use of attitudes and subjective norms to predict
intentions and 2) the use of intentions to predict the performance of behavior. They are:
1. Goals Versus Behaviors: distinction between a goal intention (an ultimate accomplishment such as losing 10 pounds)
and a behavioral intention (taking a diet pill)
2. The Choice Among Alternatives: the presence of choice may dramatically change the nature of the intention formation
process and the role of intentions in the performance of behavior
3. Intentions Versus Estimates: there are clearly times when what one intends to do and what one actually expects to do
are quite different
Sheppard et al. (1988) suggest “that more than half of the research to date that has utilized the model has investigated
activities for which the model was not originally intended” (p. 338). Their expectation was that the model would not fare well in
such situations. However, they found the model “performed extremely well in the prediction of goals and in the prediction of
activities involving an explicit choice among alternatives. Thus, Sheppard et al (1988) concluded that the model “has strong
predictive utility, even when utilized to investigate situations and activities that do not fall within the boundary conditions
originally specified for the model. That is not to say, however, that further modifications and refinements are unnecessary,
especially when the model is extended to goal and choice domains” (p 338).
Hale et al. (2003) also account for certain exceptions to the theory when they say “The aim of the TRA is to explain
volitional behaviors. Its explanatory scope excludes a wide range of behaviors such as those that are spontaneous, impulsive,
habitual, the result of cravings, or simply scripted or mindless (Benter & Speckart, 1979; Langer, 1989). Such behaviors are
excluded because their performance might not be voluntary or because engaging in the behaviors might not involve a conscious
decision on the part of the actor” (p. 250).
The theory has even been revised and extended by Ajzen himself into the theory of
planned behavior. “This extension involves the addition of one major predictor, perceived behavioral control, to the
model. This addition was made to account for times when people have the intention of carrying out a behavior, but the actual
behavior is thwarted because they lack confidence or control over behavior” (Miller, 2005, p. 127).
References
- Ajzen, I., & Fishbein, M. (1980). Understanding attitudes and predicting social behavior. Englewood Cliffs, NJ:
Prentice-Hall.
- Fishbein, M., & Ajzen, I. (1975). Belief, attitude, intention, and behavior: An introduction to theory and
research. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.[1]
- Hale, J. L., Householder, B.J., & Greene, K.L. (2003). The theory of reasoned action. In J.P. Dillard & M. Pfau
(Eds.), The persuation handbook: Developments in theory and practice (pp. 259 - 286). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
- Miller, K. (2005). Communications theories: perspectives, processes, and contexts. New York: McGraw-Hill.
- Sheppard, B. H., Hartwick, J., & Warshaw, P.R (1988). The theory of reasoned action: A meta-analysis of past research
with recommendations for modifications and future research. Journal of Consumer Research, 15, 325-343.
See also
External links
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