Theory of Planned Behaviour

TPB

The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) posits that individuals make reasoned choices, and that behaviour results from the intention to engage in specific behaviour. The scope of intentions in relation to predictive behaviour is dependent on the:

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Attitudes are based on beliefs about the likely costs and benefits of the behaviour. A person may believe that the development of Cross Island Line around the Central Catchment Nature Reserve (CCNR) will help reduce their travelling time to various places and they can save cost on private transportation. On the other hand, this person may think that the alignment of the line may pose detrimental impacts on banded leaf monkeys, but consider this aspect to be less important.

This result in an overall positive attitude towards the execution of Cross Island Line, as the weighted benefits are higher than the weighted costs.

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Subjective norm reflect a person’s perception about a particular behaviour, which is influenced by the judgment of significant others such as parents, spouse, and/or friends.  A person’s circle of friends may expect him to use private transport when travelling to prove a person’s socio-economic status. The person then may be strongly motivated to comply with their expectations. On the other hand, the person’s parents, whose opinion he value far less, may approve of him using the public transport.

In this case, the person will experience a subjective norm in favour of using private transport than public transport, thus resulting in a support of protecting the CCNR.

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Perceived control represents the belief of one’s ability in performing a particular behaviour. A person may perceive that he is not capable and knowledgeable to protect and increase the population of banded leaf monkeys. This results in a low perceived behaviour control to take part in the conservation programs.

In general, these factors inform people’s decision-making on the individual level (i.e. whether to join the chorus of voices to urge government to reconsider the alignment of Cross Island Line), thereby influence decision-making on management level (i.e. voices and pressures from individuals can potentially change government’s decision to realign the Cross Island Line).

Irrespective of attitude and subjective norm, a person’s behavioural control can also influence behaviour directly. Individuals’ perceived control can be hindered by constraints such as a belief that one’s behaviour might not have any impact. Landscape, government, community, and citizen level factors all contribute to how well the communities deal with wildlife. When individuals perceive that is not within their control and ability to protect their nature reserve, this will in turn make a pro-environmental behavioural choice less likely.

Such social and psychological meanings can have large implications for the acceptability of management decisions to carry out the Cross Island Line.