Theory of Reasoned Action - Assignment Example

Differential effects of mood on information processing: Evidence from the theories of reasoned action and planned behavior. European Journal of Social Psychology, 29, 419-433.
According to Armitage, Conner, and Norman (1999), the intention to perform a certain behavior by an individual is a function of his or her attitude and the subjective norm. Specific outcomes about a given behavior in turn influence the attitude formed by an individual towards that behavior.

Perceived social pressures especially from people close to our lives have been particularly found to have a significant impact on the intentions of an individual to perform a certain health behavior (Armitage, Conner & Norman, 1999). This study suggests that the influence of attitude on the intention to perform a given behavior is exasperated by the combination of either a positive mood or a negative mood (Armitage, Conner & Norman, 1999). The study on the effects of induced mood on the use of condoms involved 97 undergraduate students with half of the group subjected to negative mood induction and the other half to positive mood induction (Armitage, Conner & Norman, 1999). The attitudes of the participants were also assessed concurrently as well as their intention to use condoms.

The study found that in addition to attitude and subjective norm behavioral determinants, mood further influences the cognitive capacity of an individual thereby impacting his or her intentions or decision-making capacity. The study findings imply that a person in a positive mood is likely to develop a positive attitude which consequently translates to the intention to perform a certain behavior.

The study findings were indeed positive because they provide support for the theory of reasoned actions by establishing that the intention to use or not use condoms is not only influenced by attitude and subjective norm but also determined by the prevailing mood (Armitage, Conner & Norman, 1999). The study findings confirmed that the intention to perform a certain behavior is a function of compounding factors rather than a single factor. Therefore, the theory of reasoned action emerges as one of the crucial theories that could be applied in the study of health-related behaviors to facilitate the formulation of effective behavioral change strategies.

It is therefore indisputable that this article contributes immensely to the body of knowledge related to dentistry and the behavior of the dental patient because the research findings provide strong evidence that the attitude, subjection norms, and mood impact people’s choice of behavior. In dentistry, understanding behavioral determinants are of great importance to dental care interventions where behavior change plays a pivotal role in promoting improved dental or oral health in the community. In conclusion, despite criticism leveled against the theory of reasoned actions, this study provides evidence-based support on its relevance in understanding human behavior choices.