Theory of (Un)Planned Behavior? How our behavioral predictions suffer from “unplanned” actions

Abstract

An influential model in micro-sociology, the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) provides one of the most popular instruments for the prediction of social actions. Its focal point is the assumption that intentions are obligatory mediators between initial behavioral factors and corresponding actions. If some people break their intentions, TPB interprets this as those intentions have been “inflated” under the pressure of external factors. TPB does not claim to explain these factors, but rather argues that there is a gap between “perceived” and “actual” control over behaviors. In this way, the concept of “unplanned behavior” caused by some uncontrollable external factors emerges. This contribution proposes an alternative approach. Here, we examine an assumption of the existence of internal factors of behavior which are still not accounted for by the current TPB model, but can explain “unplanned” behaviors. As an example of these still uncounted-for factors, we chose an implicit component of general attitudes which is in line with the sociological interpretation of the Dual-System Theory. By demonstrating how this factor contributes to behavior bypassing intentions, we can expand the TPB model to include at least some variants of behavior, which, for now, are counted as “deviant” from predicted behavior. Theoretically, this may lead to a restructuring of the TPB basic model through its enrichment by this factor. In practice, at least some fractions of “unplanned” actions will become accessible for prediction.