Social influence in the theory of planned behaviour: The role of descriptive, injunctive, and in-group norms

In Study 1, perceived behavioural control, attitude, descriptive norm, and personal injunctive norm were significant independent predictors of behavioural intentions to engage in household recycling.

“As shown in Table 2, PBC, attitude, descriptive norm, and personal injunctive norm were all significant predictors of behavioural intentions.”

• Also stated in: § Predicting behavioural intentions. · plain

  “In partial support for Hypothesis 1, participants had a stronger intention to engage in household recycling if they had a positive attitude toward household recycling, perceived a high level of control, perceived that significant others performed the behaviour, and felt a personal sense of obligation to engage in household recycling.”

• Also stated in: § ---------------Insert Table 3 about here---------------Discussion · plain

  “In line with Hypothesis 1, attitudes, descriptive norm, personal injunctive norm, and PBC all predicted intentions to engage in household recycling.”

In Study 1, when all variables were in the regression equation, intention, perceived behavioural control, and personal injunctive norm were significant predictors of self-reported recycling behaviour.

“When all variables were in the regression equation, intention, PBC, and personal injunctive norm emerged as the significant predictors of self-report recycling behaviour.”

• Also stated in: § Predicting self-reported behaviour. · hedged

  “However, individuals were also more likely to report engagement in household recycling if they felt a personal sense of obligation to do so.”

There was no evidence that the impact of norms on intentions varied as a function of self-monitoring in Study 1.

“There was no evidence that the impact of norms on intentions varied as a function of the dispositional variables of self-monitoring (Study 1) or the collective self (Study 2).”

Group norms predicted recycling intentions, particularly for individuals who identified strongly with the group.

“There was support, however, for the social identity approach to attitude-behaviour relations in that group norms predicted recycling intentions, particularly for individuals who identified strongly with the group.”

Social injunctive norm did not emerge as a significant independent predictor of intentions.

“descriptive and personal injunctive norms (but not social injunctive norm) emerged as significant independent predictors of intentions.”

In Study 1, social injunctive norm was not a significant independent predictor of behavioural intentions to engage in household recycling.

“Social injunctive norm was the only variable that did not emerge as an independent predictor in the analysis.”

• Also stated in: § Predicting behavioural intentions. · plain

  “However, perceptions of others' approval or disapproval related to performing the behaviour did not impact significantly on participants' intentions to engage in household recycling.”

• Also stated in: § ---------------Insert Table 3 about here---------------Discussion · plain

  “However, contrary to expectations, the belief that others would approve of their recycling (i.e., social injunctive norm) did not predict intentions to recycle.”

In Study 1, intention and perceived behavioural control accounted for a significant proportion of variance in reported recycling behaviour.

“As shown in Table 2, the combination of intention and PBC accounted for a significant proportion of variance in reported recycling behaviour.”

• Also stated in: § Predicting self-reported behaviour. · plain

  “In support for Hypothesis 2, people were more likely to engage in the behaviour if they intended to do so and perceived control over performing the behaviour.”

Self-monitoring was not correlated with intention and behaviour.

“However, self-monitoring was not correlated with intention and behaviour.”

There was no evidence that the impact of norms on intentions varied as a function of the collective self in Study 2.

“There was no evidence that the impact of norms on intentions varied as a function of the dispositional variables of self-monitoring (Study 1) or the collective self (Study 2).”

In Study 1, the entry of attitude, descriptive norm, personal injunctive norm and social injunctive norm at Step 2 accounted for a significant increment of variance in reported behaviour.

“The entry of attitude, descriptive norm, personal injunctive norm and social injunctive norm at Step 2 also accounted for a significant increment of variance in reported behaviour.”

In Study 1, the correlation between intentions and behaviour was r = .69.

“Indeed, contrary to recent reviews (e.g., Sheeran, 2002), the correlation between intentions and behaviour was particularly strong (r = .69),supporting the argument that intentions are the proximal determinants of behaviour.”

Intention was correlated with behaviour.

“Intention was also correlated with behaviour.”

In Study 1, social injunctive norm was correlated with behavioural intention.

“However, although social injunctive norm was correlated with behavioural intention, it was not a significant independent predictor of behavioural intentions in the regression analyses.”

In Study 2, at Step 1, a significant proportion of variance in behavioural intentions was accounted for.

“As shown in Table 5, a significant proportion of variance in the prediction of behavioural intentions was accounted for at Step 1.”

The perception that other people are engaging in recycling (descriptive norm) was an important predictor of behavioural intention.

“Linked to this issue is the finding that the perception that other people are engaging in recycling (i.e., the descriptive norm) was an important predictor of behavioural intention.”

In Study 2, the inclusion of interaction terms between collective self-esteem and injunctive norms did not add significantly to the prediction of behavioural intentions.

“As shown in Table 7, the inclusion of the interaction terms between collective self esteem and injunctive norms (personal and social) did not add significantly to the prediction of behavioural intentions.”

The collective self did not moderate the relative strength of effects between injunctive norms (both personal and social) and intention.

“the collective self did not moderate the relative strength of effects between injunctive norms (both personal and social) and intention.”

In Study 2, after all variables were entered, the significant predictors were attitudes, perceived behavioural control, descriptive norm, personal injunctive norm, group norm, identification, and the Group Norm X Group Identification interaction term.

“After all variables were entered into the regression equation, the significant predictors were attitudes, perceived behavioural control, descriptive norm, personal injunctive norm, group norm, identification and the Group Norm X Group Identification interaction term.”

In Study 2, the inclusion of the Group Norm by Group Identification interaction at Step 2 was associated with a significant increase in the variance explained.

“The inclusion of the Group Norm by Group Identification interaction at Step 2 was associated with a significant increase in the variance explained.”

In Study 2, the inclusion of interaction terms between interdependent self and injunctive norms did not add significantly to the prediction of behavioural intentions.

“As shown in Table 6, the inclusion of the interaction terms between interdependent self and injunctive norms (personal and social) did not add significantly to the prediction of behavioural intentions.”

In Study 2, the Group Norm by Group Identification interaction accounted for only 1.5% of variance in intentions.

“Although this effect does not appear to be particularly strong in the present research (the proportion of successes associated with this step in the regression was only 1.5% -see Trafimow, 2004)”

• cites Trafimow, 2004Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

In Study 2, the relative strength of effects between injunctive norms (personal and social) and intention did not vary as a function of the strength of interdependent self.

“Thus, the relative strength of effects between injunctive norms (personal and social) and intention did not vary as a function of the strength of interdependent self.”

In Study 2, group norms significantly predicted behavioural intentions only for participants who identified strongly with the reference group.

“In line with Hypothesis 2, group norms significantly predicted behavioural intentions, but only for participants who identified strongly with the reference group (see Figure 1).”

• Also stated in: § ---------------Insert Table 6 about here-------------------------------Insert Table 7 about here----------------Discussion · plain

  “In line with Hypothesis 2, the perceived norms of a behaviourally relevant reference group predicted behavioural intentions, an effect that emerged at high, but not at low, levels of identification.”

In Study 2, for high identifiers, increasing perceptions of group support for recycling was associated with increased intentions to engage in household recycling.

“As expected, for high identifiers, increasing perceptions of group support for recycling was associated with increased intentions to engage in household recycling.”

• Also stated in: § ---------------Insert Table 6 about here-------------------------------Insert Table 7 about here----------------Discussion · plain

  “In contrast, when high identifiers perceived higher levels of group support for recycling, behavioural intentions were also stronger.”

There was no evidence that self-monitoring and the collective self moderated the impact of norms on intentions.

“However, there was no evidence that these variables moderated the impact of norms on intentions”

In Study 2, the relative strength of effects between injunctive norms (personal and social) and intention did not vary as a function of collective self-esteem.

“Thus, the relative strength of effects between injunctive norms (personal and social) and intention did not vary as a function of collective self esteem.”

In Study 2, for low identifiers, intentions were unrelated to perception of group normative support.

“For low identifiers, however, intentions were unrelated to perception of group normative support.”

• Also stated in: § ---------------Insert Table 6 about here-------------------------------Insert Table 7 about here----------------Discussion · plain

  “More specifically, perceptions of normative support from the group had no differential impact upon the behavioural intentions of low identifiers.”

Personal injunctive norm emerged as a significant predictor of both behavioural intentions and behaviour.

“Another target for intervention attempts is personal injunctive norm, which emerged as a significant predictor of both behavioural intentions and behaviour.”

In both studies, PBC was the strongest predictor of intentions to recycle.

“In both studies, PBC was the strongest predictor of intentions to recycle, a finding that is consistent with recent research (Barr, 2007;Knussen et al., 2004).”

• cites Barr, 2007 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Knussen et al., 2004 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

In Study 2, social injunctive norm did not emerge as a significant independent predictor of intentions to engage in household recycling.

“As in Study 1, social injunctive norm did not emerge as a significant independent predictor -general perceptions of others' approval or disapproval related to performing the behaviour did not impact significantly on intentions to engage in household recycling.”

• Also stated in: § ---------------Insert Table 6 about here-------------------------------Insert Table 7 about here----------------Discussion · plain

  “However, as in Study 1, although social injunctive norm was correlated with intention, it was not a significant independent predictor of behavioural intentions.”

When normatively controlled respondents were excluded from the sample, subjective norms failed to account for a significant amount of variance in intentions.

“Moreover, when normatively controlled respondents were excluded from the sample, subjective norms failed to account for a significant amount of variance in intentions.”

• cites Trafimow & Finlay, 1996 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Self-monitoring is not implicated in the social influence component of the TPB.

“Thus, it appears that a dispositional variable, self-monitoring, is not implicated in the social influence component of the TPB.”

Rivis and Sheeran's (2003) meta-analysis found that descriptive norms accounted for an additional 5% of the variance in intentions.

“For example, Rivis and Sheeran's (2003) meta-analysis found that descriptive norms accounted for an additional 5% of the variance in intentions.”

• cites Rivis & Sheeran, 2003 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Subjective norms often exert only limited influence on people's intentions.

“Despite support for the TPB, research shows that subjective norms often exert only limited influence on people's intentions.”

Previous research has provided support for the social identity perspective on the role of norms in attitude-behavior relations.

“Previous research has provided support for this perspective on the role of norms in attitude-behavior relations (e.g., Åstrøm & Rise, 2001;Johnston & White, 2003;Smith & Terry, 2003;Terry & Hogg, 1996;Terry et al., 1999;Terry, Hogg, & McKimmie, 2000;Wellen, Hogg, & Terry, 1998;White, Terry, & Hogg, 1994;see Smith & Hogg, in press for a recent review).”

• cites Terry & Hogg, 1996 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Terry et al., 1999 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites White, Terry, & Hogg, 1994 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Trafimow and Finlay found that most respondents (79% in the 1996 study and 66% in the 2001 study) were under attitudinal control.

“In research examining attitudes, subjective norms, and intentions for 30 unrelated behaviors, Trafimow andFinlay (1996, 2001) found that most of the respondents (79% in the 1996 study and 66% in the 2001 study) were under attitudinal control.”

• cites Trafimow & Finlay, 1996 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Trafimow & Finlay, 2001 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Armitage and Conner (2001) found that the average component relationship between attitudes and intentions was twice as large as that between subjective norms and intentions.

“For instance, Armitage and Conner (2001) found that the average component relationship between attitudes and intentions was twice as large as that between subjective norms and intentions (see also Farley, Lehmann, & Ryan, 1981).”

• cites Armitage & Conner, 2001 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

The TPB provides a good account of behavioural intentions to engage in household recycling.

“Indeed, a number of studies have demonstrated that, on the whole, the TPB provides a good account of behavioural intentions to engage in household recycling (e.g., Knussen, Yule, MacKenzie, & Wells, 2004;Mannetti, Pierro, & Livi, 2004;Terry, Hogg, & White, 1999).”

• cites Knussen, Yule, MacKenzie, & Wells, 2004 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Mannetti, Pierro, & Livi, 2004 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Terry, Hogg, & White, 1999 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Meta-analyses collapsing across behaviors and populations consistently suggest that the predictive ability of the subjective norm construct is limited.

“However, a number of meta-analyses, collapsing across behaviors and across populations, have suggested consistently that the predictive ability of the subjective norm construct is limited.”

The strength of an individual's collective self was associated with being under normative control.

“Trafimow and Finlay (1996) found that the strength of an individual's collective self was associated with being under normative control -scores on a collective self scale (Singelis, 1994) correlated with a tendency for people to be under NC.”

• cites Trafimow & Finlay, 1996 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Singelis, 1994 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

For certain behaviours, such as those with a moral component or social expectations attached to performance, personal norms may be particularly influential.

“Thus, for certain behaviours, such as those for which there is a moral component or for which there are social expectation attached to performance (such as recycling or other environmental behaviours), personal norms may be particularly influential (see Manstead, 2000).”

• cites Manstead, 2000Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Participants who did and did not provide follow-up data did not differ on any sample characteristics or predictor variables.

“Participants who did and did not provide follow-up data did not differ on any sample characteristics or predictor variables.”

The results of the two studies highlight the critical role of social influence processes within the TPB and the attitude-behaviour context.

“The results of these two studies highlight the critical role of social influence processes within the TPB and the attitude-behaviour context.”

Very few studies to date have considered the simultaneous effects of all three sources of norms.

“However, it should be noted that very few studies to date have considered the simultaneous effects of all three sources of norms.”

Conner and Armitage (1998) found that, across 11 tests of the TPB, personal norm predicted, on average, an additional 4% of the variance in intention.

“Similarly, Conner and Armitage (1998) found that, across 11 tests of the TPB, personal norm predicted, on average, an additional 4% of the variance in intention.”

• cites Conner & Armitage, 1998 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Personal factors such as attitude and perceived behavioral control are the primary determinants of intentions and behavior for those who do not identify strongly with the group.

“In contrast, personal factors such as attitude and perceived behavioral control have been found to be the primary determinants of intentions and behavior for those who do not identify strongly with the group (Terry & Hogg, 1996).”

• cites Terry & Hogg, 1996 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

The lack of support for the role of social injunctive norms is consistent with past research highlighting the weakness of the subjective norm construct.

“As such, the lack of support for the role of social injunctive norms is consistent with past research highlighting the weakness of the subjective norm construct (e.g., Azjen, 1991).”

• cites Azjen, 1991Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

The lack of strong support for social injunctive norms highlights the importance of considering a broader conceptualisation of normative influence than that embodied in the subjective norm construct in the TPB.

“The lack of strong support for social injunctive norms in the present study highlights the importance of considering a broader conceptualisation of normative influence than that embodied in the subjective norm construct in the TPB.”

The null moderation result for collective self is consistent with the results of Study 1 and past research (e.g., Fekadu & Kraft, 2000).

“it is consistent with the results of Study 1 and past research (e.g., Fekadu & Kraft, 2000).”

• cites Fekadu & Kraft, 2000Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

The account of social influence variables provided by the social identity approach captures the role of social influence variables in the attitude-behaviour domain.

“The present research suggests that the account of social influence variables provided by the social identity approach does indeed capture the role of social influence variables in the attitude-behaviour domain.”

The current tests of moderation were based on correlated variables, which limits definitive conclusions about the role of individual differences in the impact of different types of norms.

“given that the current tests were based on correlated variables, it would be rash to make definitive conclusions about the role that individual differences play in the impact of different types of norms.”

The absence of moderation by self-monitoring and collective self argues against the view that norms are important only for a small minority of people or for particular people.

“arguing against the view that norms are important only for a small minority of people or for particular people.”

The null moderation result for collective self is contrary to Trafimow and Finlay's (1996) contention that collective self should moderate the effect of norms within the TPB.

“Although this result is contrary to Trafimow and Finlay's (1996) contention that collective self should moderate the effect of norms within the TPB”

• cites Trafimow and Finlay's (1996) sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

The finding of the group norm by identification effect is in line with past research conducted in both the field and the laboratory.

“this finding is in line with past research (e.g., Terry & Hogg, 1996;Terry et al. 1999), conducted in both the field and the laboratory”

• cites Terry & Hogg, 1996 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Terry et al. 1999 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Support was found for the inclusion of additional sources of norms in the TPB.

“Support for the inclusion of additional sources of norms was found.”

The finding adds to the growing body of research that supports the social identity approach to attitude-behaviour relations.

“and adds to the growing body of research that supports the social identity approach to attitude-behaviour relations (see Hogg & Smith, 2007, for a recent review).”

• cites Hogg & Smith, 2007 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Limited support was found for the individual difference approach to the role of norms.

“Limited support was found for the individual difference approach to the role of norms.”

The subjective norm construct provides only a narrow understanding of social influence.

“suggests that the subjective norm construct provides only a narrow understanding of social influence.”

More support was found for the social identity approach to the role of norms in the present research.

“More support was found for the social identity approach to the role of norms in the present research.”

Social influence emanates from the attitudinal and behavioural characteristics of a psychologically relevant reference group rather than from the perceived pressure from other individuals.

“Social influence emanates from the attitudinal and behavioural characteristics of a psychologically relevant reference group rather than from the perceived pressure from other individuals.”