Subjective Norms (subjective + norm)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Distribution within Psychology


Selected Abstracts


The Correlates of Antinuclear Activism: Attitudes, Subjective Norms, and Efficacy

JOURNAL OF APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 3 2000
LEE FOX-CARDAMONE
Ajzen's (1988) theory of planned behavior was modified and used to examine antinuclear behavior. Subjects completed a questionnaire measuring their antinuclear attitudes, their perceptions of support for taking antinuclear action, and their perceptions of efficacy in this arena. Then, an antinuclear behavioral intentions questionnaire was presented, as well as several opportunities to engage in various antinuclear actions. Regression analyses indicated that Ajzen's model was supported to the extent that attitude emerged as a significant predictor of antinuclear intentions and behaviors. Subjective norms and efficacy were not significant predictors of either intentions or behaviors. Models incorporating behavior-specific attitude measures accounted for more variance than did models using more general attitude measures toward nuclear war/weapons. [source]


Subjective norms and the prediction of romantic relationship state and fate

PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS, Issue 4 2004
Paul E. Etcheverry
This study examined whether subjective norms are associated with commitment to a romantic relationship and with remaining in that relationship over time. Subjective norms are defined in the context of relationships as the perceived normative beliefs of a social network member regarding a given relationship weighted by the motivation to comply with that network member. In a longitudinal study of college students involved in dating relationships, subjective norms were found to be a significant predictor of romantic relationship commitment level, alone and in multiple regression analyses including satisfaction level, quality of alternatives, and investment size. Longitudinal analyses indicated that commitment mediated the effect of subjective norms on remaining in the relationship approximately 8 months later. Finally, level of dependence on a romantic relationship moderated the predictive value of subjective norms, with lower relationship dependence yielding greatest predictive value for subjective norms. [source]


The simultaneous consideration of between-participants and within-participants analyses in research on predictors of behaviours: The issue of dependence

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 6 2004
Dr David Trafimow
Although there is wide acceptance among personality and social psychologists of the importance of performing both between-participants and within-participants analyses to obtain a more complete picture of the phenomena under investigation, such analyses are rare (Mishela, 1990). Research on the predictors of behaviour, particularly concerning variables such as attitude, subjective norm, affect, cognition, and intention provides an exception, where the results from within-participants analyses are sometimes compared to the results from between-participants analyses. These comparisons raise the issue of whether the two types of analyses are independent of each other (and whether they can be validly compared), which is the topic of the present paper. Although we show that there is dependence, which suggests that it is a bad idea to compare both kinds of analyses, we also show that the degree of dependence approaches zero as the number of participants and items increase. Thus, with a sufficiently large design, the degree of dependence is unimportant, and therefore is no obstacle to the simultaneous consideration of both within-participants and between-participants analyses. How large is large enough? A set of computer simulations suggests that 15 participants and 15 items is sufficient, though we provide data from which researchers can designate their own criteria. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Perceptions of Body Malleability: Linkages With Body-Related Feelings and Behaviors Among Undergraduate Women and Men

FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCES RESEARCH JOURNAL, Issue 1 2005
Jennifer Paff Ogle
This study explored the utility of body-related behaviors, body attitudes, normative beliefs, and body mass index (BMI) in predicting perceptions of malleability and the utility of body attitude, subjective norms, perceptions of malleability, and BMI in predicting desires to change the body and attempts to change the body. Aquestionnaire was administered to undergraduates. Regression analyses suggested that female and male perceptions of malleability were predicted by attempts to change the body. Among females, body attitudes and normative beliefs about siblings and friends predicted perceptions of malleability. For both females andmales, adding perceptions of malleability to a regression model including body attitude and subjective norm increased the variance explained in desire and attempts to change the body. BMI did not predict perceptions of malleability, desire to change the body, or attempts to change the body. [source]


An investigation into blood donation intentions among non-donors

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NONPROFIT & VOLUNTARY SECTOR MARKETING, Issue 1 2008
Mike Reid
In broad terms, the donation of blood along with organ and bone marrow donation is considered to be the ultimate act of humanity involving a voluntary and anonymous exchange between two people of a life saving commodity. Yet motivating people to donate blood is a significantly difficult task. The aim of this paper is to use the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to examine non-donors on the basis of their likely intention to donate blood in the future and to identify barriers on these more favourable non-donors. This exploratory research finds that subjective norm, perceived behavioural control and time related barriers are related to intent to donate by current non-donors. Differences between higher and lower intention donors are also explored. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Interaction Effects in the Theory of Planned Behavior: The Interplay of Self-Identity and Past Behavior

JOURNAL OF APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 11 2007
Joanne R. Smith
This research used a revised theory of planned behavior (TPB) model, which incorporated self-identity and past behavior,and the interaction between these constructs,in order to improve the model's predictive power in relation to consumer behavior (purchasing one's preferred beer). At Time 1, respondents (N = 108) completed measures of attitudes, perceived behavioral control, subjective norm, self-identity, past behavior, and intentions. Behavior was assessed 1 week later. All predictors were positively related to intentions. Self-identity and past behavior interacted to influence intentions: Self-identity had a stronger influence on intentions at low, rather than high, levels of past behavior. Intentions and past behavior were predictive of Time 2 behavior. These findings emphasize the need to consider identity issues in the TPB. [source]


Modelling consumer entertainment software choice: An exploratory examination of key attributes, and differences by gamer segment

JOURNAL OF CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR, Issue 5 2010
Sunita Prugsamatz
From virtually nowhere 20 years ago to sales of US$9.5 billion in 2007, the video game industry has now overtaken movie industry box-office receipts in terms of annual sales, and blockbuster video games can out perform blockbuster movies for opening-week sales. This dramatic growth is likely to continue in coming years. Yet there has been little scholarly attention to consumers within the industry. This research fills this gap by providing a comprehensive study of consumer behaviour in the gaming industry, using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB); a widely used, robust and reliable consumer research instrument. The study elicits key salient attributes for the major constructs in the TPB model , attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioural control , and shows how these key constructs affect purchase intention. To avoid aggregation error in analysing overall market data, this study segments the market and examines differences in perspective by gamer type. We therefore examine differences in these key salient attributes by gamer type to understand consumer motivations better. As the first systematic study to examine consumer behaviour issues in the gaming industry, this study provides useful insights to consumers' behaviour in a large, growing industry. Consumer perceptions and behaviour toward entertainment software is complex and this study is not the final word, but it is the first available empirical evidence and can thus move forward the discussion from speculation to replication, extension, and alternative approaches. For managers in this industry, this study demonstrates how a comprehensive model can be applied to entertainment software. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Toward an understanding of Web-based subscription database acceptance

JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR INFORMATION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 13 2006
Jong-Ae Kim
Underutilization of Web-based subscription databases and the importance of promoting them have been recognized in previous research. To determine the factors affecting user acceptance of Web-based subscription databases, this study tests an integrated model of the antecedents and consequences of user beliefs about intended use by extending the technology acceptance model. The research employs a cross-sectional field study using a Web survey method targeting undergraduate students who have experience with Web-based subscription databases. Overall, the research model performs well in explaining user acceptance of Web-based subscription databases. The effects of the cognitive instrumental determinants of usefulness perceptions are examined. Terminology clarity and accessibility were found to be important determinants for ease of use of the databases. The results indicate that user training has no impact on either perceptions of usefulness or ease of use, and that there is a need to reexamine the effectiveness of user training in the context of Web-based subscription databases. The results suggest that user acceptance of the databases depends largely on the utility they offer. The findings also suggest that although a subjective norm does not directly affect intended use, it exerts a positive influence on user beliefs about the utility of the databases. [source]


Application of the theory of planned behavior to understand intentions to engage in physical and psychosocial health behaviors after cancer diagnosis

PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 9 2006
Michael A. Andrykowski
Abstract A cancer diagnosis can trigger change in both lifestyle behaviors and mental health outcomes such as ,growth' and ,benefit-finding'. Assuming changes in mental health outcomes are based upon changes in specific behaviors, the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) may facilitate understanding of post-diagnosis change in physical and psychosocial ,health' behaviors. Adults (n=130) ,2 years post-cancer diagnosis completed an internet survey. Current performance and future behavior intentions for two physical (e.g. eating a healthy diet) and four psychosocial (e.g. spending quality time with family/friends; engaging in spiritual or religious activities) health behaviors were assessed. TPB constructs (subjective norm, behavior attitudes, perceived behavioral control) for each of the six behaviors were also assessed. Multiple regression analyses indicated the set of TPB constructs accounted for an increment of 25,53% of variance in behavioral intentions beyond that accounted for by clinical and demographic variables. Among individual TPB constructs, behavioral attitude was most consistently associated with behavioral intentions while subjective norm was least consistently associated with behavioral intentions. The TPB could serve as a comprehensive model for understanding change in both physical and psychosocial health behaviors after cancer diagnosis and could suggest innovative approaches to developing interventions to enhance post-diagnosis ,growth' and ,benefit finding'. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


An Experimental Test of the Theory of Planned Behavior

APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY: HEALTH AND WELL-BEING, Issue 2 2009
Falko Sniehotta
The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) is one of the leading theories of health behavior, yet supporting evidence is exclusively based on correlational research. This study aims to test the TPB experimentally. N = 579 participants were randomised to receive persuasive messages addressing salient beliefs elicited in a pilot study, following a 2*2*2 factorial design. Participants were randomised to a behavioral-belief-intervention (BBI) or not, a normative-belief-intervention (NBI) or not, and a control-belief-intervention (CBI) or not. The primary outcome was objectively recorded attendance at university sports facilities over 2 months; and the secondary outcomes were post-intervention TPB measures. Main effects of the BBI on attitudes and of the NBI on subjective norm, PBC, attitudes, and intentions were found. The CBI did not alter post-intervention cognitions, but was the only intervention to change behavior not mediated by cognitions. While the findings support the TPB's assumptions on intention formation, behavior change results are not in line with the theory and therefore further question the TPB's leading role in behavioral science. [source]


The Use of the Theory of Planned Behavior to Assess Predictors of Intention to Eat Fruits Among 9th-Grade Students Attending Two Public High Schools in Eastern North Carolina

FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCES RESEARCH JOURNAL, Issue 1 2008
Roman Pawlak
Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify specific beliefs regarding eating two cups of fruits among ninth-grade youth attending public high schools in easternNorth Carolinautilizing the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Methods: A preliminary open-ended questionnaire was used to elicit beliefs about fruits. These beliefs along with statements adopted from the literature tailored toward fruit intake were used to develop a survey instrument. This survey was subsequently used to measure the variables of the TPB. There were 157 students (103 girls [65.6%], mean ±SD age =14.69 ±0.79 and 54 boys [34.4%], mean ±SD age = 14.74 ±0.89) from two schools who completed the final copy of the survey. Results: Attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control significantly predicted intention to eat fruits, accounting for 55% of variance. Conclusion: The findings of this research suggest that peer leaders may have a significant influence on intentions to eat fruits. [source]


Perceptions of Body Malleability: Linkages With Body-Related Feelings and Behaviors Among Undergraduate Women and Men

FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCES RESEARCH JOURNAL, Issue 1 2005
Jennifer Paff Ogle
This study explored the utility of body-related behaviors, body attitudes, normative beliefs, and body mass index (BMI) in predicting perceptions of malleability and the utility of body attitude, subjective norms, perceptions of malleability, and BMI in predicting desires to change the body and attempts to change the body. Aquestionnaire was administered to undergraduates. Regression analyses suggested that female and male perceptions of malleability were predicted by attempts to change the body. Among females, body attitudes and normative beliefs about siblings and friends predicted perceptions of malleability. For both females andmales, adding perceptions of malleability to a regression model including body attitude and subjective norm increased the variance explained in desire and attempts to change the body. BMI did not predict perceptions of malleability, desire to change the body, or attempts to change the body. [source]


Motivation to learn and diversity training: Application of the theory of planned behavior

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT QUARTERLY, Issue 3 2004
Carolyn Wiethoff
Although training programs are an important component in most companies' diversity initiatives, little theoretical guidance is available for their implementation. This article proposes a model based on the theory of planned behavior, which addresses the roles of attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control in motivation to learn from a diversity training program. The model suggests a number of hypotheses that could be tested to enhance our understanding of the motivation-to-learn construct. Additionally, the model provides practical advice for companies seeking to implement successful diversity training programs. [source]


Nurses' perception of the quality of care they provide to hospitalized drug addicts: Testing the Theory of Reasoned Action

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING PRACTICE, Issue 6 2009
Merav Ben Natan PhD RN
A correlational design was used to examine nursing staff attitudes and subjective norms manifested in intended and actual care of drug users based on the Theory of Reasoned Action. One hundred and thirty-five nursing staff from three central Israeli hospitals completed a questionnaire examining theory-based variables as well as sociodemographic and professional characteristics. Most respondents reported a high to very high level of actual or intended care of drug users. Nurses' stronger intentions to provide quality care to drug users were associated with more positive attitudes. Nursing staff members had moderately negative attitudes towards drug users. Nurses were found to hold negative stereotypes of drug addict patients and most considered the management of this group difficult. Positive attitudes towards drug users, perceived expectations of others and perceived correctness of the behaviour are important in their effect on the intention of nurses to provide high-quality care to hospitalized patients addicted to drugs. [source]


Smoking during pregnancy: analysis of influencing factors using the Theory of Planned Behaviour

INTERNATIONAL NURSING REVIEW, Issue 3 2010
M. Ben Natan phd
BEN NATAN M., VIKTORIA G. & SHAMRAI V. (2010) Smoking during pregnancy: analysis of influencing factors using the Theory of Planned Behaviour. International Nursing Review57, 388,394 Aim:, To investigate factors affecting women's intention to smoke during pregnancy. Design:, A descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional study, employing the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). Methods:, A questionnaire that was constructed based on a literature review of research on smoking during pregnancy and on the TPB was administered to 201 Israeli female smokers aged 19,46. Descriptive, correlational and linear regression statistics were calculated. Results:, Behavioural attitudes (women's total appraisal of smoking during pregnancy), subjective norms (women's perception of the opinion of significant others regarding the specific behaviour) and perceived behavioural control (women's total appraisal of their control of the behaviour and perceived ease or difficulty of quitting smoking during pregnancy) were found to predict women's intention to smoke during pregnancy. Conclusions:, Nursing interventions guided by the TPB constructs may help Israeli women quit smoking during pregnancy and reduce the prevalence of smoking during pregnancy. [source]


Perceiving and experiencing fictional characters: An integrative account1

JAPANESE PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH, Issue 4 2003
Johan F. Hoorn
Abstract: ,Fictional characters (FCs) and mediated persons in literature, theater, film, art, TV, and digital media fulfill basic psychological functions, although the processes involved remain unspecified. Departing from identification and empathy hypotheses, a new context-sensitive model draws upon similarity studies, empirical aesthetics, persuasion, emotion, and social psychology. The Perceiving and Experiencing Fictional Characters model (PEFiC-model) has three phases. During encoding, observers judge FCs in terms of ethics (good-bad), aesthetics (beautiful-ugly), and epistemics (realistic-unrealistic). Comparison entails appraisals of personal relevance as well as valence towards and (dis)similarity between the dramatis personae and the self. In the response phase, appreciation of FCs is a trade-off between the parallel, unipolar processes of involvement and distance. Intricate involvement-distance conflicts occur when subjective norms disagree with ingroup norms. Furthermore, features participate in multiple (fuzzy) sets (e.g., partly good and partly bad). PEFiC can handle complex responses towards representations of (non-existent) others, such as attractive dissimilarity, the beauty in ugliness, the appeal of negative experiences, and fascination for evil, as well as mixed emotions, ambivalence, and neutral end-states that actually conceal emotional confusion. [source]


From Intentions to Quit to the Actual Quitting Process: The Case of Smoking Behavior in Light of the TPB

JOURNAL OF APPLIED BIOBEHAVIORAL RESEARCH, Issue 4 2009
Velibor Bobo Kova
The purpose of the present paper was to examine the path from intentions to quit smoking to the actual quitting process in light of the theory of planned behavior. Data derives from a longitudinal internet survey (N = 939) over a period of 4 months. Attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control (PBC), and past behavior emerged as significant direct predictors of quitting intention (R2 = 34%). Ordinal regression analysis showed that intention, PBC, planning, past quit attempts and habit were significant predictors of the subsequent quitting process. Consistent with previous research the results show that addicted individuals have serious problems in sticking to their initial plans. Theoretical and practical implications of the results are discussed. [source]


Do Basic Psychological Needs Moderate Relationships Within the Theory of Planned Behavior?

JOURNAL OF APPLIED BIOBEHAVIORAL RESEARCH, Issue 1 2007
Jemma Harris
The effects of basic psychological need satisfaction from the self-determination theory on relationships within the theory of planned behavior (TPB) were examined in a prospective study. It was hypothesized that need satisfaction would moderate the relationship between intention and behavior and between intention and its proximal determinants. Participants (n = 250) completed measures of the TPB and psychological need satisfaction with respect to restrictive dietary behaviors. Moderated multiple regression analyses indicated that each psychological need moderated the effects of subjective norms on intention. Results suggest that individuals with high psychological need satisfaction tend to base their intentions on subjective norms to a greater extent compared with individuals with lower psychological need satisfaction. [source]


Quitting Smoking: Applying an Extended Version of the Theory of PlannedBehavior to Predict Intention and Behavior,

JOURNAL OF APPLIED BIOBEHAVIORAL RESEARCH, Issue 1 2005
Inger Synnøve MOAN
This study examined the ability of the theory of planned behavior (TPB)to predict students' intentions to quit smoking and the subsequent behavior6 months later. In addition, the impact of past behavior, moral norms, self-identity, group identity, and positive/negative anticipated affect was examined. The intention-behavior relationship was examined by dividing the sample in four subgroups: inclined actors/abstainers and disinclined actors/abstainers. Analyses were based on data from a prospective sample of 698 smokers. Attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control accounted for 36% (adjusted R2) of the variance in intentions. Moral norms, positive anticipated affect, group identity, and past behavior added 9% (adjusted R2) to the explained variance in intention, beyond the effect accounted for by the TPB components. Subsequent behavior was predicted by intentions (adjusted R2= .12). Past behavior, moral norms, self-identity, and the Past Behavior x Intention and Moral Norm x Negative Affect interactions explained an additional 9% (adjusted R2) of the variance in behavior. Inclined abstainers constituted the main source of the discrepancy between intention and behavior. [source]


The Influence of Perceived Loci of Control and Causality in the Theory of Planned Behavior in a Leisure-Time Exercise Context

JOURNAL OF APPLIED BIOBEHAVIORAL RESEARCH, Issue 1 2004
Martin S. Hagger
The contribution that generalized locus of control and perceived locus of causality made to adolescents' intentions to participate in leisure-time physical activity was examined. A mediational model included constructs from three theoretical approaches: locus of control, self-determination theory (SDT), and the theory of planned behavior. A structural equation model revealed that the effects of generalized locus of control on attitudes, subjective norms, and intentions to participate in physical activity were mediated by intrinsic motives from SDT. Findings provide evidence in support of a motivational sequence in which locus of control influences situation-specific attitudes, subjective norms, and intentions mediated by the context-specific motives from SDT. [source]


Negative Beliefs as a Moderator of the Intention,Behavior Relationship: Decisions to Use Performance-Enhancing Substances

JOURNAL OF APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 1 2007
Tonya Dodge
The theory of reasoned action framework was used to examine performance-enhancing substance use among a sample of college athletes in a prospective longitudinal design. Results indicate that attitudes and subjective norms predicted intention to use the substances, and these intentions predicted actual substance use 6 weeks later. A statistically significant interaction emerged between negative beliefs and intentions predicting behavior such that as negative beliefs grew increasingly negative, the intention,behavior relationship became stronger. Practical and theoretical implications of the influence of negative information on the intention,behavior relationship are discussed. [source]


How effortful decisions get enacted: the motivating role of decision processes, desires, and anticipated emotions

JOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL DECISION MAKING, Issue 4 2003
Richard P. Bagozzi
Abstract Building on recent research examining the influence of decision making on subsequent goal striving and decision enactment, we consider and elaborate on the mechanisms through which effortful decisions are made, maintained, and enacted. Our proposed framework builds on the Dholakia and Bagozzi (2002) model, distinguishes between two important types of intentions and desires, and shows that the motivation-mustering function of the decision process is mediated by goal and implementation desires. In addition to decision processes, the roles of goal feasibility, anticipated emotions, attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control are also elaborated on. Through a two-wave field study tracking real decisions and their pursuit by participants, we find empirical support for our model of effortful decision making and enactment. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Feedlot veterinarians' moral and instrumental beliefs regarding antimicrobial use in feedlot cattle

JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY & APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 1 2009
W. M. Alex McIntosh
Abstract This cross-sectional survey research study examined the role moral beliefs play in predicting behavioural beliefs and attitudes and the role that subjective norms play in predicting moral beliefs. Using a self-administered questionnaire, one hundred and three feedlot veterinarians completed measures of behavioural beliefs, referent others, perceived constraints and moral beliefs regarding recommendations to use antimicrobials in four situations (i.e. acutely sick cattle, chronically sick cattle, at-risk cattle and high-risk cattle). Regression analysis and F -tests indicate moral beliefs as contributing significant increases in R2 to models predicting behavioural beliefs regarding antimicrobial use in each situation. In addition, subjective norms contribute a significant increase in R2 in models predicting moral beliefs in each of the four situations. The results indicate the effects of moral beliefs on behavioural beliefs are somewhat contingent on the condition; that is the level of risk associated with treating cattle with antimicrobials, the level of risk of not doing so, and the effectiveness of the antimicrobial in situations such as acute illness or being at-risk of illness. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Impulsive donation decisions during online browsing of charity websites

JOURNAL OF CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR, Issue 2-3 2009
Roger Bennett
Although online fundraising by charitable organisations is now commonplace, many aspects of effective online fundraising remain unexamined. In particular, little is known about the nature and determinants of impulsive donation decisions taken by browsers of charity websites. This empirical study attempted to help fill this important gap in current knowledge about online fundraising via an investigation of the antecedents of impulsive online giving to a hospice organisation in the south of England. Two hundred and thirty-nine donors who stated that their gifts had been made impulsively and 223 donors whose online gifts were reported as having been pre-planned completed a questionnaire that explored, inter alia, a person's socio-demographic characteristics, level of impulsiveness and attitude towards impulsive behaviour, charity donation history, prior knowledge of hospice issues, subjective norms and personal involvement with charity giving. The main determinants of impulsive donations were identified and the profiles of various types of impulsive giver were established. Relevant matters were investigated in the contexts of two types of web page design: emotive and informative. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Deterring illegal downloading: the effects of threat appeals, past behavior, subjective norms, and attributions of harm,

JOURNAL OF CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR, Issue 2-3 2007
Aron M. Levin
The study employs two experiments to examine the effectiveness of various strategies used to dissuade consumers from downloading music illegally. The research investigates two specific strategies that the recording industry has used: (1) fear or threat appeals (e.g., the threat of punishment, such as fines and/or jail time), and (2) attribution of harm (informing consumers of the harm caused by the illegal downloading of music, such as financial loss to either the artist or the recording company). The study also considers whether past illegal downloading behavior reduces the effectiveness of these disincentive strategies. Finally, the impact of subjective norms (i.e., whether subjects think their friends would approve of downloading music) was also investigated. A 3 (level of threat: low, moderate, or high) X 2 (who is harmed by illegal downloading: artist or recording company) experimental design was employed for study one. Undergraduate students (n,=,388) participated in the study. Study two expanded on the design of the first study by adding a variable of subjective norms and by including previous downloading behavior in the model. Undergraduate students (n,=,211) also participated in the second experiment. Findings indicate a significant effect of threat appeal such that stronger threat appeals were found to be more effective than weaker threat appeals in reducing illegal downloading. The first study also showed that prior illegal downloading behavior does not curtail the effects of threat appeals aimed at reducing illegal downloading. In addition, results reveal no differences in downloading behavior in terms of attribution of harm deterrent strategy (harm to either the recording artist or company). The most interesting finding from the second study is that subjective norms appear to equalize low versus high past downloaders, but only under conditions of weak fear. The current manuscript is the first to examine the impact of four different variables (threat appeals, attribution of harm, subjective norms, and previous downloading behavior) on subjects' likelihood to illegally download music in the future. In particular, this research illuminates the potential importance of social norms in discouraging a type of undesirable consumer behavior but shows that this occurs only under a restricted set of conditions: when threat is low and the consumer is not a habitually high downloader. It should be of interest to those in fields where intellectual property can be pirated on the Internet. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Predicting and explaining the propensity to bid in online auctions: a comparison of two action-theoretical models

JOURNAL OF CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR, Issue 2 2006
Michael Bosnjak
The literature on the willingness to bid and the actual bidding behaviour of consumers in online auctions is currently dominated by approaches based on the economic decision-making and information processing paradigm and are primarily focused on what influences auction outcomes. To the best of our knowledge, no serious attempts have been undertaken to stringently test and compare existing models derived from an action-theoretical perspective to predict and explain consumers´ propensity to use online auctions as well as their actual usage. Two theoretical models seem most promising in this context: The Theory of Planned Behaviour (Ajzen I, 1985, 1991) and a derivative of the Theory of Reasoned Action (Fishbein M and Ajzen I, 1975) tailored towards using computer technologies, the Technology Acceptance Model (Davis FD, 1989). In both theories, intentions play a central role in predicting behaviour. The models differ in their descriptions of the factors that determine behavioural intentions. In the Theory of Planned Behaviour, attitudes towards the behaviour, perceived behavioural control and subjective norms are assumed to influence intentions. In contrast, the Technology Acceptance Model suggests that intentions and attitudes are influenced by the perceived usefulness of a certain technological tool to improve shopping productivity (e.g. by enabling the consumer to obtain a better price or save time) and the tools´ perceived ease of use. In principle, both theories can be used to predict and explain technology-dependent consumer behaviour, but which one is more suited to online auctions? We compared both theories in terms of their predictive power and their practical utility. Although both models explain the propensity to bid in online auctions very well, the Technology Acceptance Model provides more specific recommendations for facilitating the use of online auctions. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Diversity attitudes and norms: the role of ethnic identity and relational demography

JOURNAL OF ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR, Issue 4 2006
Frank Linnehan
This study investigated attitudes and subjective norms related to workplace diversity initiatives and intentions to engage in diversity-related behaviors in a sample of 852 public service employees. Participants completed a survey measuring behavioral intentions, attitudes, belief-based norms, ethnic identity achievement, and demographic characteristics. Comparisons were made between people of color and Whites as well as between those with high and low ethnic identity achievement. Results showed a triple interaction among supervisor race, employee race, and employee ethnic identity achievement. Specifically, among people of color with high ethnic identity achievement, having a supervisor of color was more strongly associated with positive views of subjective norms toward inclusive behavior, understanding others, and treating others with respect than among people of color with low ethnic identity achievement. Implications of these findings and directions for future research are discussed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Perceived versus reported social referent approval and romantic relationship commitment and persistence

PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS, Issue 3 2008
PAUL E. ETCHEVERRY
The current study examined social network influence processes on romantic relationship outcomes by obtaining the reported opinions of social referents as well as romantic relationship members' perceptions of social network members' opinions. Participants were 254 (151 women) college students from the United States involved in romantic relationships along with a male and female friend who all completed surveys regarding the participants' romantic relationship. This work demonstrated that perceived normative beliefs of social network members significantly mediated the effects of reported social network approval on relationship commitment. Participants' reports of relationship commitment were found to mediate the effect of subjective norms on relationship persistence. Along with network members' relationship approval, participants' satisfaction was found to predict participants' normative beliefs. [source]


Subjective norms and the prediction of romantic relationship state and fate

PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS, Issue 4 2004
Paul E. Etcheverry
This study examined whether subjective norms are associated with commitment to a romantic relationship and with remaining in that relationship over time. Subjective norms are defined in the context of relationships as the perceived normative beliefs of a social network member regarding a given relationship weighted by the motivation to comply with that network member. In a longitudinal study of college students involved in dating relationships, subjective norms were found to be a significant predictor of romantic relationship commitment level, alone and in multiple regression analyses including satisfaction level, quality of alternatives, and investment size. Longitudinal analyses indicated that commitment mediated the effect of subjective norms on remaining in the relationship approximately 8 months later. Finally, level of dependence on a romantic relationship moderated the predictive value of subjective norms, with lower relationship dependence yielding greatest predictive value for subjective norms. [source]


Using the Theory of Reasoned Action to Model Retention in Rural Primary Care Physicians

THE JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 3 2003
Thomas Hugh Feeley PhD
Purpose: The current review uses Fishbein and Ajzen's Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) to organize the literature on the predictors and correlates of retention of rural practicing physicians. TRA suggests turnover behavior is directly predicted by one's turnover intentions, which are, in turn, predicted by one's attitudes about rural practice and perceptions of salient others' (eg, spouse's) attitudes about rural practice and rural living. Methods:Narrative literature review of scholarship in predicting and understanding predictors and correlates of rural physician retention. Findings: The TRA model provides a useful conceptual model to organize the literature on rural physician retention. Physicians' subjective norms regarding rural practice are an important source of influence in the decision to remain or leave one's position, and this relation should be more fully examined in future research [source]