Which social cognition model do you think provides the most comprehensive account of behaviour
and why?
Social psychology refers to the scientific field which seeks to understand studies one’s thoughts, feelings
and beliefs in regard to the social context they are structured within, and the causes of behaviour in
social situations, (Bason, Byrne and Suls, 1989). Within social psychology, social cognition is regarded as
the awareness to social situations made by individuals. In more recent years, the social cognition
approach has become more popular within social psychology (Scneider, 1991). Social cognition is often
divided into two types: self-regulation (how an individual thinks about themselves), and person
perception (how an individual thinks about others), (Fishke & Taylor, 1991). Within this area of research,
social cognition models are often used to specify the cognitive determinants in relation to an individual’s
behaviour. Social cognition models are used heavily within social and health psychology and are often
used to explain health behaviours such as drinking or smoking.
Social cognition models are used to display the essential cognitions and the relationships which lay
between them in order to understand behaviours. These can be used to analyse which factors which are
predicting behaviour and analyse why an individual may be unable to complete a behaviour. Social
cognition theory (Bandura, 1998) focuses on the learning of an individual through the use of dynamic,
reciprocal and continuous interactions between an individual and the environment they are in. It was
proposed that bheaviour is controlled by incentives, expectancy, and social cognition (Bandura 1977).
There are many social cognition models which are used to account for behaviour.
Support for TPB
In RA a TPB model based on attitudes, social support, self efficacy and intention was moderately
successful in predicting and explaining self management of arthritis (Strating et al 2006).
Amrit age and conner 2001 - found high correlations for behavioural beliefs and attitude - provides
correlational support that these constructs are based on different forms of beliefs
The present systematic review and meta-analysis provides support for the utility of the TPB applied to
alcohol consumption and intentions. In particular, attitudes, subjective norms and SE had large-sized
relationships with intentions which, in turn had a large-sized relationship with behaviour. Thus,
interventions to reduce alcohol consumption should target attitudes, subjective norms and SE as a
means to alter intentions, and ultimately, reduce alcohol consumption. Additionally, researchers are
urged to use the TACT principle when designing measures to use in future research and to apply the TPB
to predict long-term, heavy, alcohol consumption.
As in case of consumption of alcohol theory of planned behaviour make the given predictions: If a
person thought that alcohol reduction makes his life productive and good for his health (attitude
towards behaviour) and thought that persons who are valuable in his life wants him to cut down
, (subjective norm), and believe that he was able to drink less because of his past behaviour and
analyzation of internal and external control factors, then this gives high intentions to reduce the intake
of alcohol and changes his health behaviour.
Limitation
- Theory cannot explain why behaviour is repeated in a certain way
Theory of reasoned action
The theory of reasoned action (TRA) is a model which holds the main function of analysing the
predictors of behaviours. The aim of the TRA is to understand volitional behaviours. Although, this
explanatory scope does not include a range of behaviours such as behaviours that are spontaneous,
impulsive, mindless or the result of cravings (Bentler & Speckart, 1979). Such behaviours are excluded
due to the fact they may not be voluntary or involvec consciously. The TRA also excludes behaviours
which may be due to special or advanced skill, unique resources of special opportunist, (Liska, 1984).
The TRA poses that the strongest predictor of volitional behaviour is one’s intention. This model was
debatable within social psychology in understanding relationships between behaviour and attitudes
(Fishbein & Azjen, 1975). The TRA poses that the main cause of willing behaviour is the intention of the
individual. Intentions are used to show individuals motivation for their conscious decision to do a certain
behaviour. Attitude towards behaviour show their affect on performance of the behaviour through their
affect on intentions.
A study by Cochran et al (1992) was able to successfully use the TRA to model HIV-related attitudes and
behaviours among 297 white gay men. Similar to the prediction of the theory, positive behavioural
beliefs which were concerned with the reduction of risk, predicted positive attitudes towards sexual
activities which had lower-risk, which resulted in intentions to practice sexual regarding behaviours with
lower risk. This result provided men with a more positive outlook and attitude towards safe sex and so
lowered chances of HIV infection through the use of less risky behaviour.
Furthermore, the TRA has been suggested to provide vital information during the process of designing
health education interventions. Baker et al (1996) used surveys to measure one’s attitude towards
condom based on their relation (steady or casual) and gender. Results suggested there was an
and why?
Social psychology refers to the scientific field which seeks to understand studies one’s thoughts, feelings
and beliefs in regard to the social context they are structured within, and the causes of behaviour in
social situations, (Bason, Byrne and Suls, 1989). Within social psychology, social cognition is regarded as
the awareness to social situations made by individuals. In more recent years, the social cognition
approach has become more popular within social psychology (Scneider, 1991). Social cognition is often
divided into two types: self-regulation (how an individual thinks about themselves), and person
perception (how an individual thinks about others), (Fishke & Taylor, 1991). Within this area of research,
social cognition models are often used to specify the cognitive determinants in relation to an individual’s
behaviour. Social cognition models are used heavily within social and health psychology and are often
used to explain health behaviours such as drinking or smoking.
Social cognition models are used to display the essential cognitions and the relationships which lay
between them in order to understand behaviours. These can be used to analyse which factors which are
predicting behaviour and analyse why an individual may be unable to complete a behaviour. Social
cognition theory (Bandura, 1998) focuses on the learning of an individual through the use of dynamic,
reciprocal and continuous interactions between an individual and the environment they are in. It was
proposed that bheaviour is controlled by incentives, expectancy, and social cognition (Bandura 1977).
There are many social cognition models which are used to account for behaviour.
Support for TPB
In RA a TPB model based on attitudes, social support, self efficacy and intention was moderately
successful in predicting and explaining self management of arthritis (Strating et al 2006).
Amrit age and conner 2001 - found high correlations for behavioural beliefs and attitude - provides
correlational support that these constructs are based on different forms of beliefs
The present systematic review and meta-analysis provides support for the utility of the TPB applied to
alcohol consumption and intentions. In particular, attitudes, subjective norms and SE had large-sized
relationships with intentions which, in turn had a large-sized relationship with behaviour. Thus,
interventions to reduce alcohol consumption should target attitudes, subjective norms and SE as a
means to alter intentions, and ultimately, reduce alcohol consumption. Additionally, researchers are
urged to use the TACT principle when designing measures to use in future research and to apply the TPB
to predict long-term, heavy, alcohol consumption.
As in case of consumption of alcohol theory of planned behaviour make the given predictions: If a
person thought that alcohol reduction makes his life productive and good for his health (attitude
towards behaviour) and thought that persons who are valuable in his life wants him to cut down
, (subjective norm), and believe that he was able to drink less because of his past behaviour and
analyzation of internal and external control factors, then this gives high intentions to reduce the intake
of alcohol and changes his health behaviour.
Limitation
- Theory cannot explain why behaviour is repeated in a certain way
Theory of reasoned action
The theory of reasoned action (TRA) is a model which holds the main function of analysing the
predictors of behaviours. The aim of the TRA is to understand volitional behaviours. Although, this
explanatory scope does not include a range of behaviours such as behaviours that are spontaneous,
impulsive, mindless or the result of cravings (Bentler & Speckart, 1979). Such behaviours are excluded
due to the fact they may not be voluntary or involvec consciously. The TRA also excludes behaviours
which may be due to special or advanced skill, unique resources of special opportunist, (Liska, 1984).
The TRA poses that the strongest predictor of volitional behaviour is one’s intention. This model was
debatable within social psychology in understanding relationships between behaviour and attitudes
(Fishbein & Azjen, 1975). The TRA poses that the main cause of willing behaviour is the intention of the
individual. Intentions are used to show individuals motivation for their conscious decision to do a certain
behaviour. Attitude towards behaviour show their affect on performance of the behaviour through their
affect on intentions.
A study by Cochran et al (1992) was able to successfully use the TRA to model HIV-related attitudes and
behaviours among 297 white gay men. Similar to the prediction of the theory, positive behavioural
beliefs which were concerned with the reduction of risk, predicted positive attitudes towards sexual
activities which had lower-risk, which resulted in intentions to practice sexual regarding behaviours with
lower risk. This result provided men with a more positive outlook and attitude towards safe sex and so
lowered chances of HIV infection through the use of less risky behaviour.
Furthermore, the TRA has been suggested to provide vital information during the process of designing
health education interventions. Baker et al (1996) used surveys to measure one’s attitude towards
condom based on their relation (steady or casual) and gender. Results suggested there was an
