Psya4 - Psychology In Action - Addictive Behaviour

Front 1

The theory of planned behaviour as a model of addiction prevention.
Describing the TPB

Back 1

Ajzen (1988) proposed the TPB. It is a cognitive model that aims to explain an individual's intentions to pursue a particular behaviour, including addictive behaviours. It consists of three parts
*ATTITUDE - Made up of behavioural beliefs.
If attitude predicted behaviour you would
expect a persons attitudes to be in line with heir
behaviour
*SUBJECTIVE NORMS - Are made up of what we think with reference to what others think about they behaviour (and also whether we are likely to follow others beliefs)
*PERCEIVED BEHAVIORAL CONTROL (PBC) - contributes not only to the intention to act, but also on the behaviour directly. The higher the individuals sense of control is the higher the intention will be. Contains two elements: 1. Whether or not you believe you can perform the behaviour in question (i.e. your self belief/self efficacy).
2. Whether outside factors may influence your
ability to do a behaviour.

Front 2

The theory of planned behaviour as a model of addiction prevention.
Applying the TPB to smoking

Back 2

*Using the TPB to PREDICT smoking
ATTITUDE - "It would be cool to smoke"
SUBJECTIVE NORM - "Many of my friends and family smoke"
PBC - 1. "I could quit smoking if I needed to"
2. "Its easy for me to buy cigarettes from my local shop"
*Using the TPB to PREVENT smoking
ATTITUDE - "I know smoking is bad for your health"
SUBJECTIVE NORM - "Many of my friends and family don't approve of smoking"
PBC - 1. "I don't think I would be able to stop smoking if I started"
2. "I would not be able to talk to my non-smoking friends at the pub if I had to go outside to have a cigarette"

Front 3

The theory of planned behaviour as a model of addiction prevention.
Applying the TPB to gambling

Back 3

* Using TPB to PREDICT gambling
ATTITUDES - "I would love to be rich"
SUBJECTIVE NORMS - "Lots of people do the lottery"
PBC - 1. " I would be able to stop gambling if I lost more than I won"
2. "I can easily place bets using the internet"
* Using TPB to PREVENT gambling
ATTITUDES - "I know the odds of winning the lottery are incredibly slim"
SUBJECTIVE NORMS - "Nobody I know has ever won a large amount of money as a result of gambling"
PERCEIVED BEHAVIOURAL CONTROL - 1. "I wouldn't want to risk spending my hard-earned cash on a long shot"
2. "I have to spend my wages on the mortgage to keep a roof over my kids head"

Front 4

The theory of planned behaviour as a model of addiction prevention.
Supportive Research

Back 4

+ CHANGING ATTITUDES - SLATER (2011) claimed the US's anti-marijuana campaign was successful because it developed the attitude that using marijuana meant you lacked autonomy and aspirations.
+ CHANGING SUBJECTIVE NORMS - WILSON & KORANDER (2003) claimed providing accurate statistics about the actual number of teenagers who smoke might dissuade individuals from smoking just because all of their peers smoke.
+ CHANGING PBC - GODIN (2006) found PBC was the most important of the three components in prediciting smoking cessation. They recommended future programmes focus on educating people about the will power required and encouraging an optimistic outlook and self-efficacy.

Front 5

The theory of planned behaviour as a model of addiction prevention.
Criticisms 1

Back 5

- TOO RATIONAL - This model is criticised for not taking into account the emotional or irrational components that guide our behaviour.
- IGNORES MOTIVATION - KLAG (2006) reported that of the 350 Austrailian substance users, recovery was likely to be more successful when the individual sought out treatment, rather than when ordered to by external factors (like a court order). Klag propsed 'Self-determination Theory' as a contrast to the TPB.
- PREDICTS INTENTION TO CHANGE NOT ACTUAL CHANGE - many people who are overweight know that it is unhealthy (attitude), are surrounded by societies that promote 'thiness' (subjective norms), and are capable of accessing healthy food and exercise (PBC) BUT will claim the 'diet starts tomorrow' - a clear example of an intention to change, but not actually changing.

Front 6

The theory of planned behaviour as a model of addiction prevention.
Criticisms 2

Back 6

- LIKERT SCALES - Although the TPB has been supported by research, much of which assesses the 'attitudes' of the participants using likert scales. We need to remember the possible biases that may exist with this self-report technique.
- ALCOHOL MYOPIA - many people participate in AB whilst under the influence of alcohol. MacDonald found alcohol consumption changed the attitudes of individuals towards 'risky' behaviours - they tend to attend to only immediate situational factors.