Prediction of Goal-Directed Behavior: Attitudes, Intentions, and Perceived Behavioral Control

Ajzen, I., & Madden, T. J. (1986). Prediction of goal-directed behavior: Attitudes, intentions, and perceived behavioral control. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 22, 5, 453-474.

A proposed theory of planned behavior, an extension of I. Ajzen and M. Fishbein's (1980) theory of reasoned action, was tested in 2 experiments. In Exp I, 169 undergraduates' attendance of class lectures was recorded over a 6-wk period; in Exp II, with 90 undergraduates, the behavioral goal was getting an A in a course. Attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and intentions were assessed. As expected, the theory of planned behavior permitted more accurate prediction of intentions and goal attainment than did the theory of reasoned action. In both experiments, perceived behavioral control added significantly to the prediction of intentions. Contrary to expectations, there was little evidence for interactions between perceived behavioral control and the theory's other independent variables.

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