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Predicting behaviour from perceived behavioural control: Tests of the accuracy assumption of the theory of planned behaviour
Author(s) -
Sheeran Paschal,
Trafimow David,
Armitage Christopher J.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
british journal of social psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.855
H-Index - 98
eISSN - 2044-8309
pISSN - 0144-6665
DOI - 10.1348/014466603322438224
Subject(s) - pmac , psychology , operationalization , theory of planned behavior , attribution , test (biology) , control (management) , social psychology , computer science , artificial intelligence , paleontology , philosophy , epistemology , electrical engineering , control system , biology , engineering
The theory of planned behaviour assumes that the accuracy of perceived behavioural control (PBC) determines the strength of the PBC‐behaviour relationship. However, this assumption has never been formally tested. The present research developed and validated a proxy measure of actual control (PMAC) in order to test the assumption. In two studies, participants completed measures of intention and PBC, and subsequently completed measures of behaviour and the PMAC. Validity of the PMAC was established by findings showing; (a) that the PMAC moderated the intention‐behaviour relation, and (b) that PMAC scores did not reflect attributions for participants' failure to enact their stated intentions. Accuracy was operationalized as the difference between PBC and PMAC scores. Consistent with theoretical expectations, several analyses indicated that greater accuracy of PBC was associated with improved prediction of behaviour by PBC.