The theory of planned behavior: Frequently asked questions

Abstract

The theory of planned behavior (TPB—Ajzen, Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 1991, 50, 179–211; Ajzen, Handbook of theories of social psychology, 2012, 1, 438–459) has been widely applied to the prediction and change of behavior, including behavior related to the use of technology. This article provides a brief description of the theory and discusses a number of issues and questions that have been raised with respect to the TPB. Among the issues discussed are the difference between the TPB and the theory of reasoned action, perceived behavioral control versus self-efficacy, the difference between perceived behavioral control and locus of control, the possibility of including additional predictors in the TPB, nonavailability of a standard TPB questionnaire, predicting behavior in a choice situation, the intention-behavior gap, and a comparison of the technology acceptance model to the TPB.