Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Individual Control Of Risk: Seat Belt Use, Subjective Norms And The Theory Of Reasoned Action, Juanita V. Field, Kenneth D. Boehm, Kevin M. Vincent, Jessica L. Sullivan

RISK: Health, Safety & Environment (1990-2002)

When faced with a risk for which an inexpensive solution is available, individuals often choose the risk rather than the solution. Protection from certain kinds of risks, e.g., using seat belts or condoms or insulating against radon, is largely under personal control, but individuals often choose not to comply with behaviors which would reduce the risk. The Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) has been used to predict when individuals will comply. The authors attempted to validate aspects of the TRA by the use of scenarios. Factor analysis of their data supports the theory that intention is a major determinate of …