Description

The Theory of Planned Behavior Questionnaire (TOPBQ) is a psychometric instrument based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) developed by Icek Ajzen. The theoretical model proposes that an individual’s behaviour is determined by three main psychological components: behavioural intention, attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control.

The questionnaire is designed to assess the cognitive and social factors that influence an individual’s decision to perform a specific behaviour.

Objective

The main objective of the TOPBQ is to evaluate the factors that influence human behaviour in order to better understand an individual’s intention and ability to perform specific behaviours.

The instrument examines the psychological mechanisms underlying behavioural decisions and provides information about the relationship between beliefs, social influences, perceived control, and actual behavioural intentions.

Structure and Content

The TOPBQ is based on four fundamental dimensions of the Theory of Planned Behavior:

Behavioural Intention, which refers to the degree to which an individual intends to perform a specific behaviour.

Attitude, which reflects the individual’s personal evaluation of the behaviour as positive or negative.

Subjective Norms, which refer to perceived social pressure or approval from important others, such as friends, family members, or colleagues, regarding the performance of the behaviour.

Perceived Behavioural Control, which reflects the individual’s perception of how easy or difficult it is to perform the behaviour, including internal and external limitations.

Scoring Method

The TOPBQ includes questions evaluated using a Likert-type scale, usually consisting of 5 or 7 response categories.

The overall score is calculated through the mean score of the items corresponding to each theoretical factor.

Higher scores indicate stronger endorsement of the corresponding behavioural beliefs, attitudes, intentions, or perceived control.

Data Analysis and Use

TOPBQ data can be analysed to investigate the factors influencing behavioural intention and decision-making.

Statistical analyses may include descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, correlation analysis, regression models, and comparisons between different population groups.

The questionnaire can be applied in health psychology, education, organizational behaviour, social psychology, and behavioural change research.

Validity and Reliability

The theoretical foundation of the TOPBQ is based on the Theory of Planned Behavior, which has been extensively used to explain and predict human behaviour.

Psychometric evaluation may include assessment of internal consistency, construct validity, and relationships between the questionnaire dimensions and actual behavioural outcomes.

Applications

The TOPBQ can be used to study behaviours related to health promotion, lifestyle choices, educational decisions, professional behaviour, and social actions.

It provides a structured framework for understanding how personal attitudes, social influences, and perceived abilities contribute to behavioural intentions.

References

Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179–211.

Ajzen, I., & Fishbein, M. (1980). Understanding Attitudes and Predicting Social Behavior. Prentice-Hall.

Conner, M., & Armitage, C. J. (1998). Extending the theory of planned behavior: A review and avenues for further research. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 28(15), 1429–1464.

Manstead, A. S. R., & Parker, D. (1995). Evaluating and extending the theory of planned behavior. European Review of Social Psychology, 6(1), 69–96.