The prediction of regular controlled versus regular uncontrolled drinking is used to examine the efficiency and adequacy of two social-psychological theoretical formulations. These are Fishbein and Ajzen's Theory of Reasoned Action, and Jessor and Jessor's Problem Behavior Theory. The Fishbein-Ajzen formulation demonstrated significant mediational capacity, but a model which combined variables from both the Fishbein-Ajzen model and Problem Behavior Theory was a significantly better predictor of both drinker status and intentions to get drunk. From a theoretical perspective, these data challenge the adequacy of the Theory of Reasoned Action, in that distal variables from Problem Behavior Theory were found to impact on intentions and behavior independently rather than thought on intentions and behavior independently rather than through the attitudinal and normative components. The extent to which Ajzen's recent Theory of Planned Behavior addresses this inadequacy is discussed. Finally, the authors point out...
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