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Related Experiment Videos

Evidence that perceived behavioural control is a multidimensional construct: perceived control and perceived

David Trafimow1, Paschal Sheeran, Mark Conner

  • 1Department of Psychology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces 88003-8001, USA. trafimow@crl.nmsu.edu

The British Journal of Social Psychology
|April 24, 2002
PubMed
Summary
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Perceived behavioral control may be two distinct factors: perceived control and perceived difficulty. Research suggests perceived difficulty better predicts behavioral intentions and actions than perceived control.

Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • Ajzen's theory of planned behavior posits perceived behavioral control influences intentions and actions.
  • This study investigates if perceived behavioral control is a singular construct or comprises two distinct variables.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To differentiate between perceived control and perceived difficulty.
  • To determine which variable, perceived control or perceived difficulty, is a stronger predictor of behavioral intentions and behaviors.

Main Methods:

  • Four experimental studies manipulated perceived control and perceived difficulty independently.
  • Studies 2-4 employed various paradigms to assess belief distinctions.
  • A meta-analysis synthesized findings from five studies.

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Main Results:

  • Experimental manipulations successfully altered perceived control and perceived difficulty separately.
  • Participants demonstrated an ability to distinguish between beliefs underlying each construct.
  • Meta-analysis indicated perceived difficulty is a more significant predictor than perceived control for most intentions and behaviors.

Conclusions:

  • Perceived control and perceived difficulty are distinct constructs.
  • Perceived difficulty offers superior predictive power for behavioral intentions and actions compared to perceived control.