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Article Review - Group Dynamics Assignment

The study examined the relationship between self-identity, social identity, intentions, and recycling behaviors. It surveyed 143 community members about their recycling intentions and behaviors. The results showed that self-identity indirectly influences reported recycling behaviors through intentions. Those who identified with the social group of recyclers showed a stronger connection between their self-concept and their recycling behaviors. The study clarifies that self-identity, as shaped by both individual and social factors, can predict behavioral intentions within the theory of planned behavior.

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33 views

Article Review - Group Dynamics Assignment

The study examined the relationship between self-identity, social identity, intentions, and recycling behaviors. It surveyed 143 community members about their recycling intentions and behaviors. The results showed that self-identity indirectly influences reported recycling behaviors through intentions. Those who identified with the social group of recyclers showed a stronger connection between their self-concept and their recycling behaviors. The study clarifies that self-identity, as shaped by both individual and social factors, can predict behavioral intentions within the theory of planned behavior.

Uploaded by

lauren gantenbein
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Theory of Planned Behavior

Lauren Gantenbein

Department of Psychology, Liberty University

PSYC 405: Group Dynamics

Professor Liburd

October 30th, 2023


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The Theory of Planned Behavior

Method

The study chosen evaluates the role of self-identity within the theory of planned behavior.

It examines the relationship between self-identity and social identity through the terms of

intention and behavior. The second goal is to discover how self-identity works as a function of

past experiences and behavior performance. This study was done with a sample group of 143

residents in one community. The population that was selected was made up of members of

households that had access to town-provided recycling bins. The sample size was made up of 63

males and 80 females. (Terry, D. J. 2014) The participants in the study used a 'snowballing'

technique. The study used a questionnaire (Time 1) that tested the participant's ability to engage

in specific behaviors. The behavior of recycling was being measured. After two weeks (Time 2)

114 participants reported their recycling behavior. Data showed that participants who didn’t

provide any date Time 2 were no different in age, gender, or occupational state, etc. from those

who reported.

There were two items used to measure the strength of intention. 'I intend to engage in

household recycling during the next two weeks, 1 = extremely unlikely to 7 = extremely likely;

and 'I (1 = do not intend to 7 = do intend) to engage in household recycling during the next two

weeks. (Terry, D. J. 2014) The target behavior was found by unpleasant to pleasant, good to bad,

and favorable to unfavorable. Participants were told to show how far they wished to be perceived

in terms of their ability to perform a specific behavior at will. The behavior of past recycling was

measured at Time 1. The study used this example- during the past three months, how much of
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your home's garbage that can be recycled was in fact, recycled? (1 = none at all to 7 =

everything.) (Terry, D. J. 2014) Participants were next told to indicate how much recyclable

garbage they brought outside the previous night. As well as indicated, how much glass,

newspaper, aluminum, and plastic products they had put out in the past two weeks.

Results

Self-identity has an indirect relationship with reported behavior through behavior

intention. Results of the study show that identity influences intention. (Simons, 2021) But it also

includes role identities that derive from group membership. For those who identify with a group,

there is a strong connection between their self-concept and their behavior but not for those who

do not. This study clarifies the role that self-identity plays in the theory of behavior. (Terry, D. J.

2014) They also highlight the need to consider self and social identity constructs within the

concept of behavior. The study shows results that behavior is highly impacted when people

associate with the social group involved because it is relevant to their identity. Thus, those who

properly recycled and responded to the questionnaire were personally involved in recycling as

part of their identity.

Discussion

Social identity theory describes oneself as being defined by social aspects. It also that

claims social identity is a construct. This construct is created within the relationship between

one's view of self and the social structure that is within groups and categories. A view of oneself

is created by different identities a person creates while being in a social environment. Identity

theory is the view that to understand and predict behavior, it is necessary to see the view of
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oneself and the social structure as being linked. (Simons, 2021) As well as being influenced by

the wider social structure, the self is conceived `as an active creator of social behavior'. Roles

identify and imply what action or behavior someone will have. The Identity theory concludes

that self-identity predicts intention. Intention is placed as the greatest predictor of behavior in

theories of planned behavior and action. The central focus of this empirical article is the question

of how self-identity and group-related constructs influence behavior. (Terry, D. J. 2014) This is

why the study used participants to evaluate their intentions and behavior within the concept of

household recycling.

Course relevance

This study is relevant to this course because of the discussion of Social Identity theory

found in the textbook. This study similarly discusses how self-identity or the view of “the self” is

connected to behavior. Both this study and the textbook point to the influence that exists within

social and group influence on identity. From a biblical perspective, Christians must remember

that our identity is ultimately found in Christ. It is important to be aware of what influences our

behaviors. Awareness is important because by making good choices and having positive

influences we can create a healthy and Christ-centered identity.


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References

Terry, D. J., Hogg, M. A., & White, K. M. (2014). The theory of planned behavior: Self-identity,
social identity, and group norms. The British Journal of Social Psychology, 38, 225-44.
https://go.openathens.net/redirector/liberty.edu?url=https://www.proquest.com/
scholarlyjournals/theory-planned-behaviour-self-identity-social/docview/219177181/se-2

Simons, J. D. (2021). From Identity to Enaction: Identity Behavior Theory. Frontiers in


Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.679490

Forsyth, D. R. (n.d.). Group Dynamics, 7th edition - 9781337408851 - cengage.


https://ng.cengage.com/static/nb/ui/evo/index.html?
snapshotId=3721140&id=1937630387&deploymentId=5813602456081257258750257941&
eISBN=9781337408882

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