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Perceived behavioral control is the extent to which an individual perceives that they are in control of a given target behavior. It is considered a core construct in the theory of planned behavior.
Description
Perceived behavioral control (PBC) was included in the theory of planned behavior (TPB; Ajzen 1991) in order to predict/explain behaviors that are not entirely under the volitional control of the individual. According to the TPB, PBC is determined by beliefs regarding factors that may act to facilitate or inhibit successful behavioral performance (Ajzen 1991; Conner and Armitage 1998). For example, a belief that exercising after work is associated with intractable barriers (i.e., cold weather, icy sidewalks, limited schedule) may lead to low perceived behavioral control over exercise, in turn leading to less frequent exercise during winter months. However, a belief that there are few barriers to exercising (i.e., favorable...
References and Further Readings
Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179–211.
Ajzen, I. (2002). Perceived behavioral control, self-efficacy, locus of control, and the theory of planned behavior. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 32(4), 665–683.
Armitage, C. J., & Connor, M. (2001). Efficacy of the theory of planned behavior: A meta-analytic review. British Journal of Social Psychology, 40(4), 471–499.
Conner, M., & Armitage, C. J. (1998). Extending the theory of planned behavior: A review and avenues for further research. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 28(15), 1429–1464 Special issue: Expectancy-value models of attitude and behavior.
Godin, G., & Kok, G. (1996). The theory of planned behaviour: A review of its application to health-related behaviors. American Journal of Health Promotion, 11(2), 87–98.
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Hall, P.A., Zehr, C. (2016). Perceived Control. In: Gellman, M., Turner, J. (eds) Encyclopedia of Behavioral Medicine. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6439-6_1166-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6439-6_1166-2
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