Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB)

Paper Summary:

This paper presents a review of a journal article that modeled the theory of planned behavior and used an experiment-related exercise to show the facets of the theory. Also, the paper uses a very public example that was presented in the media to show the applicability of the theory of planned behavior to explain human behavior. The example chosen was the activities of American soldiers at the Abu Gharib prison in Iraq. The paper concludes with an interpersonal example that is linked to the major hypothesis of the theory of planned behavior.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Journal Article Analyzed: Modeling the Theory of Planned Behavior and Past Behavior
Mass Media Example of the Theory of Planned Behavior: Abu Ghraib Prison Behavior
Personal Interpersonal Example of the Theory of Planned Behavior

From the Paper:

"According to Stannard, Zimbardo's study showed that prisons are an institution that are designed to change the psychological make-up of the occupants; what is not clear, is how it affects other occupants, that are their by choice, most notably the guards. Stannard uses Zimbardo's study to state that prisons present an environment where the power differential is so uneven that it presents an environment for abuse, which is prisoners are powerless, while, guards have complete control and complete power."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Ajzen, I. (1991). The Theory of Planned Behavior. Organizational, Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50, 179-211.
• Rhodes, R. and Courneya, K. (2003). Modeling the Theory of Planned Behavior and Past Behavior. Psychology, Health & Medicine, 8, 1, 57-69
• Stannard, M. (2004). "Stanford Experiment Foretold Iraq Scandal: Inmates Got Abused in Psychology Study. Chronicle, May 8. Retrieved March 23, 2007 from http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/05/08/MNGN76IG761.DTL

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• Research Paper # 108054 : "Sponsorship Effectiveness"

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