Evaluation of the Theory of Planned Behavior
Significance
In evaluating the significance of the context of the TPB, we must consider the implications to the discipline of nursing. We can justify the significance by assessing if there is explicit reference to the philosophical, metaparadigmatic, and conceptual origins of nursing (Fawcett, 2005).
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Fawcett's Criteria for Evaluation of Theory
Jacqueline Fawcett developed a set of criteria for the analysis and evaluation of both grand and middle-range nursing theories. The criteria include the following: significance, internal consistency, parsimony, testability, empirical adequacy, and pragmatic adequacy (Fawcett, 2005). An evaluation of the middle-range Theory of Planned Behavior is summarized here. For our full critique of this theory, please see the below document.
Figure 1. Conceptual Model of the Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen, 1991)
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Internal Consistency
The context and content of the theory must have internal consistency, which requires the philosophical claims, conceptual model, and theory concepts mentioned above to be congruent with semantic clarity and consistency (Fawcett, 2005).
The context and content of the theory must have internal consistency, which requires the philosophical claims, conceptual model, and theory concepts mentioned above to be congruent with semantic clarity and consistency (Fawcett, 2005).
- Congruency: The context of the philosophical model and the content of the concepts of the TPB are congruent. The paper shows that the TPB provides useful conceptual framework for dealing with the complexities of predicting individuals’ behavioral choices (Azjen, 1991). With any situation, positive or negative, you can apply the TPB and get an accurate interpretation of a person's expected behavioral outcome, because the context and content are congruent and consistent throughout the paper.
- Semantic clarity and consistency: Semantic consistency and clarity are met by Fawcett’s criteria as Dr. Ajzen (1991) clearly defines all of the elements of of the TPB model (behavioral intention, subjective and normative beliefs, perceived behavioral control, and attitude) and the same definition is maintained throughout the paper (Fawcett, 2005).
- Structural consistency: Fawcett states that internal consistency is met when propositions reflect structural consistency which means each core concept (behavioral intention, subjective and normative beliefs, perceived behavioral control, and attitude) of the TPB are specifically linked and there are no contraindications (Fawcett, 2005). Figure 1 presents a clear schematic of the relationship between the core concepts and the resulting behavior. Each core concept is specifically linked to each other and to the outcome. The core concepts are interrelated, but uniquely defined so no misinterpretation or contraindications are present.
Parsimony
A parsimonious theory describes a theory that is concise yet comprehensive (Fawcett, 2005). When evaluating the parsimony of a theory, it is important to consider whether or not the content of the theory raises additional questions versus fully explaining the phenomena. The phenomena in the Theory of Planned Behavior is that of the effect of self-control and motivation toward a certain behavior (Ajzen, 2011). In considering the parsimony of a theory, it is also imperative to evaluate the number of criteria and concepts that make up the theory (Fawcett, 2005). The TPB is composed of six individual components that determine an individual’s behavioral control: attitudes, behavioral intention, subjective norms, social norms, perceived power, and perceived behavioral control (Azjen, 1991). These six components are grouped into three pairs of beliefs: behavioral, subjective, and control (Azjen, 1991). These three concepts are comprehensive in summarizing the crux of this theory and thereby meet Fawcett’s parsimony criterion.
A parsimonious theory describes a theory that is concise yet comprehensive (Fawcett, 2005). When evaluating the parsimony of a theory, it is important to consider whether or not the content of the theory raises additional questions versus fully explaining the phenomena. The phenomena in the Theory of Planned Behavior is that of the effect of self-control and motivation toward a certain behavior (Ajzen, 2011). In considering the parsimony of a theory, it is also imperative to evaluate the number of criteria and concepts that make up the theory (Fawcett, 2005). The TPB is composed of six individual components that determine an individual’s behavioral control: attitudes, behavioral intention, subjective norms, social norms, perceived power, and perceived behavioral control (Azjen, 1991). These six components are grouped into three pairs of beliefs: behavioral, subjective, and control (Azjen, 1991). These three concepts are comprehensive in summarizing the crux of this theory and thereby meet Fawcett’s parsimony criterion.
Testability: Middle-Range Theories
- Observation and measurement of theory concepts
- Data analysis
Empirical Adequacy: Middle-Range Theories
The degree to which a systematic review of all the data support the assertion of the TPB determines whether we can accept the theory as adequate (Fawcett, 2005). While a systematic review of every study which has ever used this theory is not feasible by this team, we can draw upon the meta-analytic review by Armitage and Conner which reviewed 185 studies (Armitage, 2001). This analysis revealed strong empirical support for the theory of planned behavior. The theory has broad application and efficacy across many disciplines. All in all, assertions are congruent with the evidence that the theory of planned behavior does accurately predict planned behavior.
The degree to which a systematic review of all the data support the assertion of the TPB determines whether we can accept the theory as adequate (Fawcett, 2005). While a systematic review of every study which has ever used this theory is not feasible by this team, we can draw upon the meta-analytic review by Armitage and Conner which reviewed 185 studies (Armitage, 2001). This analysis revealed strong empirical support for the theory of planned behavior. The theory has broad application and efficacy across many disciplines. All in all, assertions are congruent with the evidence that the theory of planned behavior does accurately predict planned behavior.
Pragmatic Adequacy
This theory is generally pragmatically adequate because it provides a framework to predict types of behaviors. If, as healthcare professionals, we know what predicts behaviors, this theory may help us in properly targeting ways to change those behaviors in order to increase health and decrease burden of disease or danger to health. It is ideal that using the TPB requires minimal special skill training before application in nursing practice. The use of a likert scale is ubiquitous within the nursing practice and is simple to explain to participants answering questions. Because the theory has application to countless nursing-related practices feasibility must be determined on a case by case basis (Nah, 2017; Rich, 2015; Malek, 2017). Implications of the use of the theory may result in the need for large, moderate or small scale changes in practice based on study conclusions. Lastly, the legal ability to successfully implement will depend upon the practice within which the nurse is practicing, the support of their institution, support of their peers and level of resistance from other entities.
This theory is generally pragmatically adequate because it provides a framework to predict types of behaviors. If, as healthcare professionals, we know what predicts behaviors, this theory may help us in properly targeting ways to change those behaviors in order to increase health and decrease burden of disease or danger to health. It is ideal that using the TPB requires minimal special skill training before application in nursing practice. The use of a likert scale is ubiquitous within the nursing practice and is simple to explain to participants answering questions. Because the theory has application to countless nursing-related practices feasibility must be determined on a case by case basis (Nah, 2017; Rich, 2015; Malek, 2017). Implications of the use of the theory may result in the need for large, moderate or small scale changes in practice based on study conclusions. Lastly, the legal ability to successfully implement will depend upon the practice within which the nurse is practicing, the support of their institution, support of their peers and level of resistance from other entities.