Factors Affecting Perceived Decision Making Among Filipinos in National Elections: An Integration of Theory of Planned Behavior and Behavioral Decision Theory

Abstract

The 2022 national elections is considered one of the most significant events in the Philippines, as it is how the individual citizen can exercise their right to the democratic process of choosing their leaders. Each person is responsible for scrutinizing their choices and deciding who to cast their vote on. The study aims to identify the factors affecting perceived decision-making among Filipino voters during the national elections, incorporating the Theory of Planned Behavior and Behavioral Decision Theory. Using multivariate data analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM), the researchers will be able to assess links between variables influencing Filipino voters’ perceived decision making and establishing people’s voting criteria for political leaders. Results show that Social media (SM), Socioeconomic status (SES), Cognition and critical thinking (CC), Generational gap (GD), Personal experience (PE), Attitude toward behavior (ATB), Perceived behavioral control (PBC), Values, and Social norms (SN) were significant factors to the perceived decision making of Filipino voters.