My Two Cents

Theory of Planned Behavior

April 27, 2007 at 3:31 pm (Uncategorized)

In considering the various social theories, I found it difficult thinking of any changes I’ve made in my life.  I then considered the changes I’ve made with my involvement in my academic career in relation to the Theory of Planned Behavior.   I was always an excellent student, but it seemed to others as well as myself that I was becoming too engulfed in school work for my own good.  In terms of my attitude toward behavior, I believed that my study and work habits did not have that big of an impact on my life.  My point of view was just that I had to get an A no matter how much school become a major aspect of my life and no matter how many hours a day I spent studying. 

In terms of subjective norms, my parents and friends believed that I was making school too large a part of my life.  My friends realized that I would hide myself away doing school work at the start of the semester and not come out again until it was over.  My parents believed that putting all of my efforts into school was not healthy, staying up till all hours of the night doing work, making sure it was absolutely perfect.  They had also told me that being sociable was important as well.   In terms of perceived behavioral control, I believed that this would be an impossible task for me.  I believed that if I had become more lax with my school work, my grades would fall behind.  If I received a B in anything, I couldn’t handle it. 

With all of this in consideration, my behavioral intention was to cut back my efforts slightly, taking it one step at a time in order to see how it would effect my grade.  Once I realized that I did not need to be fanatical about my GPA, I realized that I could have a life outside of school.  My behavior changed in that about two semesters ago, I got a job and joined the college newspaper to take my mind off school.  I can honestly say that my previous behavior was a hindrance to my life.  My perception of those around me was a largely factored into making the ultimate decision to change my study habits.