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From intentions to actions: a theory of planned behavior
Social psychologists generally concur that human behavior is primarily goal-directed, as articulated by Heider (1958) and Lewin (1951). This perspective posits that human social behavior is neither arbitrary nor trivial, but rather follows a sequence of well-formulated plans. For instance, prior to attending a concert, an individual engages in a series of premeditated actions such as inviting a companion, purchasing tickets, selecting appropriate attire, arranging transportation, and ultimately arriving at the concert venue. These actions are typically planned in advance and executed as the individual proceeds through the outlined steps. Moreover, certain sequences of behavior may become habitual to the extent that they are performed almost automatically, such as the routine of commuting to work or playing a musical instrument. Such highly developed skills often do not necessitate conscious planning of each action. However, individuals generally maintain an awareness of the necessary steps to achieve a specific goal. Taking the act of typing a letter as an example, when this task is identified as a goal, one anticipates the need to gather a typewriter, prepare a sheet of paper, adjust margins, compose text, and press the appropriate keys. Although some steps may become routine and require less cognitive effort, the absence of an explicit or implicit plan would prevent the successful completion of the task.[NPID: Goal, plans, social behavior, goal-directed, cognitive effort]
Year: 1985
