Name of theory Theory of Planned Behaviour Key reference (Ajzen, 1991) Description The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) is a model to explain determinants of behaviour and is an extension of the Theory of Reasoned Action. The model consists of four predictors of behaviour: attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, Read more…
Name of theory Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) Key reference Davis, 1989 Description The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) describes the process by which end-users decide whether or not to adopt a new technology. This can be the use of a physical product, but also the use of an app or website. Read more…
Name of concept Illusory truth effect Key reference (Hasher, Goldstein, & Toppino, 1977) Description The illusory truth effect covers how people are more likely to believe a statement they have heard before. The more often people are exposed to the same message, the more likely they are to see this Read more…
Name of concept Fundamental attribution error Description The fundamental attribution error suggests that people overestimate the influence of someone’s dispositions and personality in their behaviour, and underestimate the role, or even power, of the situation that people are in. This means that when people are confronted with unexpected behaviours from Read more…
Name of theory COM-B Model Key reference (Michie et al., 2011) Description The COM-B model explain determinants of behaviour and is an acronym for the four factors it contains: Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation as the three predictors that lead to Behaviour. Each of the three predictors can be further broken Read more…
Name of theory Six weapons of influence Key reference Book: (Cialdini, 1993) Article: (Cialdini & Goldstein, 2002) Description Robert Cialdini was interested in the various ways in which people are persuaded to comply with a request. To investigate what methods expert persuaders (e.g., salespeople) use to sell products to customers, Read more…
Description The Barnum effect suggests that people are likely to believe statements about themselves (usually their personality) that are presented as if they are tailored to them, but that in fact cover generic statements that could apply to anyone. This was demonstrated by Forer, who gave people statements such as Read more…