Table of Contents

Background:

According to the theory of planned behavior, human behavior is guided by three kinds of considerations: beliefs about the likely consequences of the behavior (behavioral beliefs), beliefs about the normative expectations of others (normative beliefs), and beliefs about the presence of factors that may facilitate or impede performance of the behavior (control beliefs). In their respective aggregates, behavioral beliefs produce a favorable or unfavorable attitude toward the behavior; normative beliefs result in perceived social pressure or subjective norm; and control beliefs give rise to perceived behavioral control. In combination, attitude toward the behavior, subjective norm, and perception of behavioral control lead to the formation of a behavioral intention. As a general rule, the more favorable the attitude and subjective norm, and the greater the perceived control, the stronger should be the person’s intention to perform the behavior in question. Finally, given a sufficient degree of actual control over the behavior, people are expected to carry out their intentions when the opportunity arises. Intention is thus assumed to be the immediate antecedent of behavior. However, because many behaviors pose difficulties of execution that may limit volitional control, it is useful to consider perceived behavioral control in addition to intention. To the extent that perceived behavioral control is veridical, it can serve as a proxy for actual control and contribute to the prediction of the behavior in question. The Theory of Planned Behavior Questionnaire (TPB Questionnaire) assess each of the theory’s major constructs: Attitude, perceived norm, perceived behavioral control, and intention. Seven-point bipolar adjective scales are typically employed.

Author of Tool:

Ajzen, I.

Key references:

Ajzen, I. (1991) The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50, 179–211.

Primary use / Purpose:

Asses the main constructs of the Theory of Planned Behavior.

Other Information:

There is no official TPB questionnaire, however a sample questionnaire is provided here. The items employed in previous research and the items shown in the sample questionnaire may not be appropriate for your behavior, population, or time period. For more information, see authors FAQ page: https://people.umass.edu/aizen/faq.html

CONSTRUCTING A THEORY OF PLANNED BEHAVIOR QUESTIONNAIRE

Brief Description of the Theory of Planned Behavior

According to the theory, human behavior is guided by three kinds of considerations: beliefs about the likely consequences of the behavior (behavioral beliefs), beliefs about the normative expectations of others (normative beliefs), and beliefs about the presence of factors that may facilitate or impede performance of the behavior (control beliefs). In their respective aggregates, behavioral beliefs produce a favorable or unfavorable attitude toward the behavior; normative beliefs result in perceived social pressure or subjective norm; and control beliefs give rise to perceived behavioral control. In combination, attitude toward the behavior, subjective norm, and perception of behavioral control lead to the formation of a behavioral intention. As a general rule, the more favorable the attitude and subjective norm, and the greater the perceived control, the stronger should be the person’s intention to perform the behavior in question. Finally, given a sufficient degree of actual control over the behavior, people are expected to carry out their intentions when the opportunity arises. Intention is thus assumed to be the immediate antecedent of behavior. However, because many behaviors pose difficulties of execution that may limit volitional control, it is useful to consider perceived behavioral control in addition to intention. To the extent that perceived behavioral control is veridical, it can serve as a proxy for actual control and contribute to the prediction of the behavior in question. The following figure is a schematic representation of the theory.

The following description of questionnaire construction is based on the appendix in Fishbein, M., & Ajzen, I. (2010). Predicting and changing behavior: The reasoned action approach. New York: Psychology Press.

Defining the Behavior

Formative Research

Before any work can begin, the behavior of interest must be clearly defined in terms of its target, action, context, and time elements.

Example: Physical Activity

We could define exercise behavior as follows (see Terry & O’Leary, 1995): “Exercising for at least 20 min, three times per week for the next three months.”

Specifying the Research Population

The population of interest to the investigators also must be clearly defined.

Example: Post-operative patients

In this example, only individuals who have just undergone major heart surgery would be included in the research population.

Formulating Items for Direct Measures

Five to six items are formulated to assess each of the theory’s major constructs: Attitude, perceived norm, perceived behavioral control, and intention. Seven-point bipolar adjective scales are typically employed. Sample items assessing intention and each aspect of attitude, perceived norm and perceived control are shown below; additional items and instructions to the participants are shown in the sample questionnaire (Part II). Participants are asked to circle the number that best describes their personal opinions. Note that the items are formulated to be exactly compatible with the behavioral criterion and to be self- directed.

Attitude: Instrumental and experiential aspects

My exercising for at least 20 minutes, three times per week for the next three months would be

bad : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : good pleasant : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : unpleasant

Perceived norm: Injunctive and descriptive aspects

Most people who are important to me approve of my exercising for at least 20 minutes, three times per week for the next three months.

agree : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : disagree

Most people like me exercised for at least 20 minutes, three times per week in the three months following their major heart surgery

unlikely : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : likely

Perceived behavioral control: Capacity and autonomy aspects

I am confident that I can exercise for at least 20 minutes, three times per week for the next three months.

true : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : false

My exercising for at least 20 minutes, three times per week for the next three months is up to me

disagree: 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : agree

Intention

I intend to exercise for at least 20 minutes, three times per week for the next three months. likely : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : unlikely

Past behavior

In the past three months, I have exercised for at least 20 minutes, three times per week. false : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : true

(Note that, in the current example, past behavior may not be a good predictor of future behavior because the past behavior would have occurred prior to the heart surgery.)

Administering a Pilot Questionnaire Eliciting Salient Beliefs

A small sample of individuals representative of the research population (post-operative patients) is used to elicit readily accessible behavioral outcomes, normative referents, and control factors. Although the participants can be assembled in groups, the elicitation is done individually in a free response format.

Instructions: Please take a few minutes to tell us what you think about the possibility of exercising for at least 20 min, three times per week for the next three months. There are no right or wrong responses; we are merely interested in your personal opinions. In response to the questions below, please list the thoughts that come immediately to mind. Write each thought on a separate line. (Five or six lines are provided for each question.)

Behavioral outcomes

What do you see as the advantages of your exercising for at least 20 minutes, three times per week for the next three months?
What do you see as the disadvantages of your exercising for at least 20 minutes , three times per week for the next three months?
What else comes to mind when you think about exercising for at least 20 minutes, three times per week for the next three months?

Normative referents

When it comes to your exercising for at least 20 minutes, three times per week for the next three months, there might be individuals or groups who would think you should or should not perform this behavior.

Please list the individuals or groups who would approve or think you should exercise for at least 20 minutes, three times per week for the next three
Please list the individuals or groups who would disapprove or think you should not exercise for at least 20 minutes, three times per week for the next three
Sometimes, when we are not sure what to do, we look to see what others are Please list the individuals or groups who, after major heart surgery, are most likely to exercise for at least 20 min, three times per week for the three months following surgery.
Please list the individuals or groups who, after major heart surgery, are least likely to exercise for at least 20 min, three times per week for the three months following surgery.

Control factors

Please list any factors or circumstances that would make it easy or enable you to exercise for at least 20 min, three times per week for the next three months.
Please list any factors or circumstances that would make it difficult or prevent you from exercising for at least 20 min, three times per week for the next three

Constructing Sets of Modal Salient Beliefs

A content analysis of the responses to the above questions results in lists of modal salient outcomes, referents, and control factors. These lists are used to construct items to be included in the final questionnaire, as described below.

Formulating Direct Measures

The pilot questionnaire, in addition to eliciting salient outcomes, normative referents, and control factors also includes the items that were formulated to obtain direct measures of attitude toward the behavior, perceived norm, and perceived behavioral control. The data obtained are used to select reliable and valid items for use in the final questionnaire. Each set of items designed to directly assess a given construct should have a high degree of internal consistency (e.g., a high alpha coefficient), and the measures of the different constructs should exhibit discriminant validity. To achieve these aims, one or two items may have to be dropped for each construct. Confirmatory factory analysis is one means of evaluating the quality of the scales to be included.

Finally, the pilot questionnaire also includes measures of any background factors or other variables the investigator believes may be interest for the behavior under investigation.

These could be demographic characteristics (age, gender, ethnicity, level of education, income), personality characteristics (e.g., conscientiousness) or other individual difference variables (e.g., self-esteem, sensation seeking), social structure variables (e.g., rural vs. urban residence), and so forth. The results of the pilot study also allow us to evaluate the utility of these background measures: Do the personality and other individual difference measures have high internal consistency? If not, can internal consistency be improved by deleting some of the items? Do any of the background variables correlate with intentions or past behavior? If not, should they be retained in the final questionnaire?

Preparing a Standard Questionnaire

We are now ready to put together the standard questionnaire to be used in the main study. This questionnaire includes the following elements.

(1) Behavioral Beliefs and Outcome Evaluations

With respect to each salient behavioral outcome, items are formulated to assess the strength of the behavioral beliefs and the evaluation of the outcome.

Sample Outcome: Faster recovery from my surgery Behavioral belief strength

My exercising for at least 20 min, three times per week for the next three months will result in my having a faster recovery from my surgery.

likely : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : unlikely

Outcome evaluation

My having a faster recovery from my surgery is

good : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : bad

(2a) Injunctive Normative Beliefs and Motivation to Comply

With respect to each salient normative referent, items are formulated to assess the strength of the injunctive normative belief and the motivation to comply with the referent individual or group.

Sample injunctive normative referent: My doctor Injunctive normative belief strength

My doctor thinks that

I should : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : I should not exercise for at least 20 min, three times per week for the next three months.

Motivation to comply

When it comes to matters of health, I want to do what my doctor thinks I should do. agree : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : disagree

(2b) Descriptive Normative Beliefs and Identification with the Referent

With respect to each relevant salient referent, items are formulated to assess the strength of the descriptive normative belief and the identification with the referent individual or group.

Sample descriptive normative referent: My friends Descriptive normative belief strength

Most of my friends who have undergone major heart surgery have exercised for at least 20 min, three times per week for the three months following surgery.

false : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : true

Identification with the referent

When it comes to matters of health, how much do you want to be like your friends? very much : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : not at all

Control Beliefs and Power of Control Factors

With respect to each salient control factor, items are formulated to assess the likelihood that the factor will be present and the factor’s power to facilitate or impede performance of the behavior.

Sample control factor: Physical strength Control belief strength

I expect that I will have physical strength in the next three months. likely : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : unlikely

Power of control factor

Having physical strength would enable me to exercise for at least 20 min, three times per week for the next three months.

disagree : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : agree

Direct Measures

Another element of the final questionnaire are the direct measures developed on the basis of the pilot data to assess attitudes, perceived norm, perceived behavioral control, and intentions. In addition, the questionnaire will usually also include a measure of past behavior, as described earlier.

Other Measures

The final questionnaire also includes measures of all demographic characteristics, personality variables, and other background factors the investigator decided to retain.

(5) Behavior

Three months following administration of the questionnaire (or another period as defined by the behavioral criterion), the participants are recontacted and asked to report whether they had exercised for at least 20 min, three times per week for the past three months.

Sample TpB Questionnaire

There is no standard TpB questionnaire. This sample questionnaire is for illustrative purposes only. Also, most published articles contain information about the questionnaire used, but the items shown in this sample questionnaire or employed in prior research may not be appropriate for your behavior, population, or time period. Formative research is therefore required to construct a questionnaire suitable for the behavior and population of interest. If beliefs are to be assessed, they must be elicited anew from a representative sample of the research population.

Similarly, items designed to directly assess the theory’s constructs must be validated prior to construction of the final questionnaire.

Class Attendance: Opinion Survey

As you know, class attendance at UMass varies widely. Some students attend all their classes while others miss many class meetings. The present survey is part of an investigation that tries to discover some of the reasons why students attend or fail to attend class meetings. Specifically, we are interested in your personal opinions regarding regular class attendance. By regular class attendance we mean being present at all lecture and discussion section meetings, except in cases of serious illness or other emergencies. Please read each question carefully and answer it to the best of your ability. There are no correct or incorrect responses; we are merely interested in your personal point of view.

Please enter the date, the course number, and your name in the designated spaces above.

Your name is needed for follow-up surveys. However, all responses to this survey are completely confidential. The instructor of this course has nothing to do with this study and will not see your responses. All identifying information will be removed from this questionnaire and destroyed as soon as all data has been collected. Please be assured that the information you provide in this study will have no effect on your grade.

Instructions

Many questions in this survey make use of rating scales with 7 places; you are to circle the number that best describes your opinion. For example, if you were asked to rate “The Weather in Amherst” on such a scale, the 7 places should be interpreted as follows:

The Weather in Amherst is:

good : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : bad extremely quite slightly neither slightly quite extremely

If you think the weather in Amherst is extremely good, then you would circle the number 1, as follows:

The Weather in Amherst is:

good : O1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : bad If you think the weather in Amherst is quite bad, then you would circle the number 6, as follows.

The Weather in Amherst is:

good : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : O6 : 7 : bad If you think the weather in Amherst is slightly good, then you would circle the number 3.

The Weather in Amherst is:

good : 1 : 2 : O3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : bad If you think the weather in Amherst is neither good nor bad, then you would circle the number 4.

The Weather in Amherst is:

good : 1 : 2 : 3 : O4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : bad

In making your ratings, please remember the following points:

Be sure to answer all items – do not omit
Never circle more than one number on a single

Please answer each of the following questions by circling the number that best describes your opinion. Some of the questions may appear to be similar, but they do address somewhat different issues. Please read each question carefully.

[Outcome Evaluations]

For me to gain a better understanding of the subject matter of this course is extremely good : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : extremely bad
For me to do well and get a high grade in this class is

extremely good : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : extremely bad

For me to have an opportunity to interact with the instructor and other students in this class is extremely good : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : extremely bad
For me to miss sleep is

extremely good : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : extremely bad

For me to keep up with my studies in this class is

extremely good : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : extremely bad

For me to develop good study habits, self-discipline, and a feeling of self-satisfaction is extremely good : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : extremely bad
My missing out on activities outside this class is

extremely good : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : extremely bad

My getting information and explanations regarding materials to be covered on tests in this class is extremely good : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : extremely bad
My being subjected to tedium and boredom is

extremely good : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : extremely bad

Getting my money’s worth during my time at UMass is

extremely good : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : extremely bad [Past Behavior: Self-Report]

During the past 4 weeks, what percentage of meetings of this class have you attended? During the past 4 weeks, I have attended about % of the meetings of this

[Direct Measures of Perceived Behavioral Control, Subjective Norm, Attitude, and Intention]

For me to attend the meetings of this class on a regular basis is

extremely difficult : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : extremely easy

Most people who are important to me think that

I should : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : I should not attend the meetings of this class on a regular basis

For me to attend the meetings of this class on a regular basis is

extremely good : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : extremely bad

I plan to attend the meetings of this class on a regular basis

extremely likely : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : extremely unlikely

Whether or not I attend the meetings of this class on a regular basis is completely up to me strongly disagree : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : strongly agree
Most of the students in this class with whom I am acquainted attend meetings of this class on a regular basis

definitely true : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : definitely false

For me to attend the meetings of this class on a regular basis is

extremely valuable : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : extremely worthless

I am confident that if I wanted to I could attend the meetings of this class on a regular basis definitely true : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : definitely false
It is expected of me that I attend the meetings of this class on a regular basis definitely true : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : definitely false
For me to attend the meetings of this class on a regular basis is

extremely pleasant : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : extremely unpleasant

I will make an effort to attend the meetings of this class on a regular basis

I definitely will : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : I definitely will not

For me to attend the meetings of this class on a regular basis is impossible : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : possible
Most people whose opinions I value would approve of my attending the meetings of this class on a regular basis

strongly disagree : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : strongly agree

For me to attend the meetings of this class on a regular basis is interesting : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : boring
I intend to attend the meetings of this class on a regular basis

strongly agree : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : strongly disagree [Motivation to Comply]

Generally speaking, how much do you care what the instructor of this course thinks you should do? not at all : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : very much
Generally speaking, how much do you care what your parents think you should do? not at all : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : very much
Generally speaking, how much do you care what your close friends think you should do? not at all : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : very much
Generally speaking, how much do you care what your classmates think you should do? not at all : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : very much

[Behavioral Beliefs]

Attending the meetings of this class on a regular basis will help me to gain a better understanding of the subject matter of this course