Research Paper on "Theories and Theorists"

Research Paper 4 pages (1234 words) Sources: 5

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Theorists

Health issues are critical to human life and quality of human life. Many theories have been presented over time to discuss behavior, cause, environment and propagation of the disease. Health related problems often start with little triggers but end up complex. A sick person, who is continuously diseased, gets psychologically disturbed too (Public Health Agencies, 2009). Two basic health related theories are discussed here namely health belief model and theory of reasoned action.

Health Belief Model

The health belief model is one of the oldest models designed in the mid of 1900. Scholars like Rosenstock, Hochbaum, and Kegels researched on U.S. Public Health Service. These scholars studied health screening program for tuberculosis (the Health Belief Model, n.d). On the basis of their general and specific findings, they developed HB Model. The model is still widely accepted as social cognition models.

Theory of Reasoned Action

The theory of reasoned action, developed by Ajzen and Fishbein, is based on three constructs that include BI, a and SN. BI is the behavioral intention construct, a is the attitude and SN is subjective norm. The theory presents the equation where the behavioral intention of an individual is based on his attitude regarding behavior and subjective norms. Thus BI = a + SN. A person's intention to do something will most likely end into that behavior.

Theorist of HB Model and TRA Model

The health believes model was developed by Hochbaum, Rosenstock, and Kegels while Ajzen and Fishbein were the main researchers behind theory of reasoned action. The theories were developed after extensive research. Ajzen and Fishbein were trying to assess the inconsistency between attitude and behavior when they developed this model. The TRA model deals with voluntary behavior while Health belief model discusses problem behaviors.

Basic Tenets Health Belief Model

The model was initially developed in mid of 1900's yet changes have been made in it till 1988. Initial efforts were made to use the model for predicting behavioral response to treatment given to the patient. The theory can however be used to foretell general health behaviors (Health Belief Model (HBM), 2009). The theory suggests that a patient's belief in a personal threat and his belief in effectiveness suggest likelihood of that behavior for example depression. The model suggests that individuals respond suitably to health promotion messages in four conditions:

Belief that individual has risk of getting a health problem.

Belief that the risk is serious with undesirable consequences.

Belief that behavior change will help cope the risk.

Belief that barriers to the behavior change can be overcome.

Hence the main determinants of the person's behavior are percieved intensity about potential helath problem, the acceptability of disease, advantages of preventive action and barriers to that behavior or action (Health Belief Model (HBM), 2009).

Basic Tenets of Theory of Reasoned Action

The theory of reasoned action, as disused, tells how the intention towards a behavior guides and to that behavior. Behavioral intention is relative strength of intention of an individual to carry out that behavior (Theory of Planned Behavior / Reasoned Action, 2013). Attitude is about beliefs regarding results of behavior. SA or subjective norm is mix of perceived expectations from and intentions. The theory can be summarized in following diagram:

Figure 1: Theory of reasoned action diagrammatic display (Theory of Planned Behavior / Reasoned Action, 2013)

Analyze and assess the relationship between HB Model and TRA Model

The health related models here discuss the behavior of a person towards the potential disease or illness. Both the theories suggest and try to explain why a person will or will not adopt a certain behavior to treat or prevent a disease. The HB model tries to explain a person's four… READ MORE

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