Expanding the Affective and Normative Components of the Theory of Planned Behavior: A Meta‐Analysis of Anticipated Affect and Moral Norms

Abstract

Meta-analysis was used to determine the predictive validity of anticipated affect and moral norms in the theory of planned behavior (TPB; Ajzen, 1991). Medium-tolarge sample-weighted average correlations were obtained. Anticipated affect and moral norms increased the variance explained in intentions by 5% and 3%, respectively, controlling for TPB variables. Intention mediated the influence of both variables on behavior. Moderator analyses showed that younger samples and behaviors with a moral dimension were associated with stronger moral-norm/intention relations, and anticipated regret was associated with a stronger anticipated-affect/ intention relation. The implications of the findings for the TPB are discussed.j asp_558 2985..3019The theory of planned behavior (TPB; Ajzen, 1991) is perhaps the most influential theory for the prediction of social and health behaviors. This model derives from the earlier theory of reasoned action (TRA; Fishbein & Ajzen, 1975) and holds that the most immediate determinant of behavior is the individual's intention to perform the behavior. Intentions summarize the motivational factors that influence performance of a behavior (Ajzen, 1991;Webb & Sheeran, 2005) and indicate how hard people are willing to try to perform the behavior.Intention, in turn, is determined by three constructs: attitudes, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control. Attitudes are conceptualized as people's positive or negative evaluations of their performing a behavior (e.g., "For me, engaging in a binge drinking session would be pleasant/ unpleasant"). Subjective norm refers to the pressure that people perceive from important others to perform, or not to perform, a behavior (e.g., "My friends think that I should engage in a binge drinking session"). Ajzen (1991) added perceived behavioral control (PBC) as a third predictor of behavioral

Using the theory of planned behavior to identify key beliefs underlying pro-environmental behavior in high-school students: Implications for educational interventions

“…Gifford (2014) argued that despite TPB's extensive use and attractive parsimonious account of PEB, there are concerns about its incompleteness. For example, the results of a meta-analysis across different behavioral domains (Rivis, Sheeran, & Armitage, 2009) support the role of moral norms as a significant predictor of intention. The same conclusion emerged in three meta-analyses in the environmental domain (Bamberg & M€ oser, 2007;Hines et al, 1986/87;Kl€ ockner, 2013).…”

Role of affective attitudes and anticipated affective reactions in predicting health behaviors.

“…The affect measures used in such research are usually labelled anticipated affective reactions (AAR) with the majority of research focusing on anticipated regret (Rivis, Sheeran, & Armitage, 2009;Sandberg & Conner, 2008). AA and AAR can be distinguished in three important ways.…”

“…First, several electronic databases (ISI Web of Science, MEDLINE, PsycINFO) were searched on 7 th January 2014 using the following search strings: theory of planned behavi*, Ajzen, affective attitude, anticipated affect*, anticipated regret. Second, citation searches were performed in ISI Web of Science on two key papers (Rivis et al, 2009;Sandberg & Conner, 2008). Third, reference lists of all included articles were manually searched.…”

Self-Affirmation Before Exposure to Health Communications Promotes Intentions and Health Behavior Change by Increasing Anticipated Regret

“…Healthrelated decisions fit this picture and anticipated regret has emerged as a significant predictor of health intentions and behavior (e.g., Rivis et al, 2009;Sandberg & Conner, 2008). …”

“…For instance, anticipated regret has been shown to predict intentions to reduce unhealthy behavior by drinking within safe limits (Cooke, Sniehotta, & Schuz, 2007), not eating junk food (Richard, Van der Pligt, & De Vries, 1996), and taking exercise (Abraham & Sheeran, 2004). Importantly, anticipated regret adds to the prediction of health intentions over and above variables such as attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control (e.g., Rivis et al, 2009;Sandberg & Conner, 2008). Moreover, experimental manipulations that make anticipated regret salient prior to intention formation lead to stronger intentions to behave healthily, more Running head: SELF-AFFIRMATION AND ANTICIPATED REGRET 5 healthy behavior and strengthen the intention-behavior relationship (e.g., Abraham & Sheeran, 2003Sandberg & Conner, 2009, 2011.…”