Theory of Planned Behaviour and Prochaska
AZJEN AND FISHBEIN - THEORY OF PLANNED BEHAVIOUR
This is a general theory that has been applied to addiction but consists of the idea that thoughts
influence behaviour
It focuses on what beliefs a person has about their behaviour and someone who intends to give up
smoking will actually give up.
● Attitude Towards Behaviour - if the addict recognises that the behaviour is a negative one, this
increases the chances of recovery.
● Subjective Norms - this refers to the belief of the group that the addict belongs to because if
an addict is surrounded by fellow addicts, there is a big chance that the group as a whole will
not realise their issue.
● Perceived Behavioural Control - this refers to the extent to which an individual feels they have
the control to beat the addiction and if an addict has an external locus of control, they will feel
their attempts will be fruitless and they could never beat their addiction.
EVALUATION
➔ Practical applications - it could be possible that many alcoholics would not realise they are
alcoholics if public awareness was not raised through campaigns
➔ Purely correlational - issue with cause and effect
➔ Too rational - model fails to take into account emotions, mood, compulsions and other
irrational determinants of human behaviour.
PROCHASKA’S SIX STAGE MODEL
Does not view change as a ‘single event’ and described the gradual change in behaviour
He model takes into account that people may relapse
Divided into pre-action phases and post-action phases
Pre-action phases -
● Precontemplation - addicts are not thinking of changing their behaviour within the next 6
months. Denial may be the reason, or they may not consider it a problem.
● Contemplation - the addict is thinking of changing their behaviour within the next 6 months.
They have not made any plans to change, they are just starting to recognise that action is
probably needed.
● Preparation - the addict is preparing to take action and plans are made to change in the next
month
Post-action phases -
● Action - the addict has made an attempt to change their behaviour in the last 6 months. It is at
this stage that CBT is very effective, not before.
● Maintenance - the change in behaviour has been maintained for at least 6 months but relapse
is still possible
● Termination - abstinence becomes automatic and addicts are no longer tempted by the
addiction but this stage may not even be possible for some of the more severe addictions.
EVALUATION
➔ Practical applications - interventions are tailored to the model
➔ Not clear - the divisions between the stages are not clear, some are similar and this may be
perceived in subjective ways
➔ Research support - a meta-analysis found a 22-26% success rate for reducing addictive
behaviours when using this model
AZJEN AND FISHBEIN - THEORY OF PLANNED BEHAVIOUR
This is a general theory that has been applied to addiction but consists of the idea that thoughts
influence behaviour
It focuses on what beliefs a person has about their behaviour and someone who intends to give up
smoking will actually give up.
● Attitude Towards Behaviour - if the addict recognises that the behaviour is a negative one, this
increases the chances of recovery.
● Subjective Norms - this refers to the belief of the group that the addict belongs to because if
an addict is surrounded by fellow addicts, there is a big chance that the group as a whole will
not realise their issue.
● Perceived Behavioural Control - this refers to the extent to which an individual feels they have
the control to beat the addiction and if an addict has an external locus of control, they will feel
their attempts will be fruitless and they could never beat their addiction.
EVALUATION
➔ Practical applications - it could be possible that many alcoholics would not realise they are
alcoholics if public awareness was not raised through campaigns
➔ Purely correlational - issue with cause and effect
➔ Too rational - model fails to take into account emotions, mood, compulsions and other
irrational determinants of human behaviour.
PROCHASKA’S SIX STAGE MODEL
Does not view change as a ‘single event’ and described the gradual change in behaviour
He model takes into account that people may relapse
Divided into pre-action phases and post-action phases
Pre-action phases -
● Precontemplation - addicts are not thinking of changing their behaviour within the next 6
months. Denial may be the reason, or they may not consider it a problem.
● Contemplation - the addict is thinking of changing their behaviour within the next 6 months.
They have not made any plans to change, they are just starting to recognise that action is
probably needed.
● Preparation - the addict is preparing to take action and plans are made to change in the next
month
Post-action phases -
● Action - the addict has made an attempt to change their behaviour in the last 6 months. It is at
this stage that CBT is very effective, not before.
● Maintenance - the change in behaviour has been maintained for at least 6 months but relapse
is still possible
● Termination - abstinence becomes automatic and addicts are no longer tempted by the
addiction but this stage may not even be possible for some of the more severe addictions.
EVALUATION
➔ Practical applications - interventions are tailored to the model
➔ Not clear - the divisions between the stages are not clear, some are similar and this may be
perceived in subjective ways
➔ Research support - a meta-analysis found a 22-26% success rate for reducing addictive
behaviours when using this model
