In the Theory of Reasoned Action, behavioral intention is influenced by attitude toward the behavior and what other consideration?

• A. Social norms
• B. Perceived behavioral control
• C. Self-efficacy
• D. Cues to action

Answer: (A)

In the Theory of Reasoned Action, how strongly someone intends to perform a behavior comes from two things: how favorable they view the behavior (their attitude) and the social pressure they feel from important others (social norms). If you believe the behavior will have good outcomes and you think people who matter to you approve of it, you’re more likely to intend to do it. That social-pressure aspect is captured as subjective norms, which is the second determinant in TRA.

Perceived behavioral control is a concept from Theory of Planned Behavior and reflects how much control you think you have over performing the behavior, which influences intention in that framework but not in TRA. Self-efficacy relates to belief in your own ability to perform the behavior, which isn’t a separate determinant in TRA. Cues to action come from the Health Belief Model as triggers to act, not the underlying intention formation in TRA.