causes and prevention of multiple problem behaviors: the theory of triadic influence

Causes and Prevention of Multiple Problem Behaviors:

The Theory of Triadic Influence

Brian R. Flay, D.Phil.

Department of Public Health

Oregon State University

Presentation for NIH meeting on “Science of Behavior Change”

2

Note: Some of these theories cross cells, particularly the sociological theories. Some explicitly integrative theories cross many cells (e.g., Brooks, Elliott, Jessor).

LEVEL OF TYPES OF INFLUENCE

INFLUENCE INTRAPERSONAL SOCIAL SITUATION/ INTERPERSONAL

ENVIRONMENTAL/ ATTITUDINAL

ULTIMATE Biological theories Psychoanalytic theories Resilience (Garmazey) Personality theories Self-Control (Gottfredson & Hirschi)

Social Control (Elliott) Family Systems (Brooks) Peer Clustering (Oetting)

Class Conflict Low SES Anomie Social Disorganization Strain Theory (Merton) Radical Theories

DISTAL Personal competence Self-Esteem theories Self-Derogation (Kaplan) Personal control theories

Social attachment/ bonding Social Development (Hawkins) Differential Association Social Learning (Akers, Bandura)

(General knowledge) Cultural Identity Values theories Motivation theories

PROXIMAL Social skills Self regulation/ control Self-efficacy (Bandura)

Social Norms theories Conformity theories

Expectancy theories Attitude theories

Fishbein & Ajzen (TRA); Ajzen (TPB)

Feedback Systems Theories

A Matrix of Theories (Petraitis, Flay & Miller, Psychological Bulletin, 1995)

3

BEHAVIOR

Intentions/Decision

Environment

Attitudes TowardBehavior

Social Normative Beliefs

IntraPersonal

Self-Efficacy

Social Situation

ENVIRONMENT

GENETICS

The Theory of Triadic Influence

4

DECISIONS/INTENTIONS

SOCIAL SITUATION

BIOLOGY/PERSONALITY

THE THEORY OF TRIADIC INFLUENCE

ATTITUDESTOWARD THE

BEHAVIOR

CULTURALENVIRONMENT

SOCIALNORMATIVE

BELIEFS

Trial Behavior

EXPERIENCES: Expectancies -- Social Reinforcements -- Psychological/Physiological

SELF-EFFICACYBEHAVIORAL

CONTROL

Nurture/CulturalBiological/NatureIntrapersonal Stream Social/Normative Stream Cultural/Attitudinal Stream

5


SOCIAL SITUATION

BIOLOGY/PERSONALITY


ATTITUDESTOWARD THE

BEHAVIOR

CULTURALENVIRONMENT

SOCIALNORMATIVE

BELIEFS

Trial Behavior



CONTROL


Values/Evaluations

Knowledge/Expectancies

PerceivedNorms

Information/Opportunities

InterpersonalBonding

SocialCompetence

Interactions w/Social Instit’s

Others’Beh & Atts

Motivationto Comply

Skills:Social+General

Sense ofSelf/Control

SelfDetermination

1 2 3

7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18

l

4 5 6

19 20 21

22

23

6


SOCIAL SITUATION

BIOLOGY/PERSONALITY


ATTITUDESTOWARD THE

BEHAVIOR

CULTURALENVIRONMENT

SOCIALNORMATIVE

BELIEFS

Trial Behavior



CONTROL


Values/Evaluations


PerceivedNorms



SocialCompetence


Others’Beh & Atts

Motivationto Comply



SelfDetermination

1 2 3

7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18

l

4 5 6

19 20 21

22

23

DistalInfluences

ProximalPredictors

Levels ofCausation

UltimateCauses

Social/Personal Nexus

Expectancies & Evaluations

Affect andCognitions

Decisions

Experiences

7


SOCIAL SITUATION

BIOLOGY/PERSONALITY


ATTITUDESTOWARD THE

BEHAVIOR

CULTURALENVIRONMENT

SOCIALNORMATIVE

BELIEFS

Trial Behavior



CONTROL


Values/Evaluations


PerceivedNorms



SocialCompetence


Others’Beh & Atts

Motivationto Comply



SelfDetermination

1 2 3

7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18

l

4 5 6

19 20 21

22

23

DistalInfluences

ProximalPredictors

Levels ofCausation

UltimateCauses




Decisions

Experiences

a

b c d e

f

g h i

jk m n

o

p q r

s

t u v w

x

8


SOCIAL SITUATION

BIOLOGY/PERSONALITY


ATTITUDESTOWARD THE

BEHAVIOR

CULTURALENVIRONMENT

SOCIALNORMATIVE

BELIEFS

Trial Behavior



CONTROL


Values/Evaluations


PerceivedNorms



SocialCompetence


Others’Beh & Atts

Motivationto Comply



SelfDetermination

1 2 3

7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18

l

4 5 6

19 20 21

22

23

DistalInfluences

ProximalPredictors

Levels ofCausation

UltimateCauses




Decisions

Experiences

a

b c d e

f

g h i

jk m n

o

p q r

s

t u v w

x

CF

IB E HA D G

9


SOCIAL SITUATION

BIOLOGY/PERSONALITY


ATTITUDESTOWARD THE

BEHAVIOR

CULTURALENVIRONMENT

SOCIALNORMATIVE

BELIEFS

Trial Behavior



CONTROL


Values/Evaluations


PerceivedNorms



SocialCompetence


Others’Beh & Atts

Motivationto Comply



SelfDetermination

1 2 3

7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18

l

4 5 6

19 20 21

22

23

DistalInfluences

ProximalPredictors

Levels ofCausation

UltimateCauses




Decisions

Experiences

a

b c d e

f

g h i

jk m n

o

p q r

s

t u v w

x

Related BehaviorsJ

K

CF

IB E HA D G

10

The TTI Developmental-Ecological System

P PS S

S

E

P

Eval

Behavior

SNB SelfEfficacy

Att Att

Intentions

Will + Skill ExpMc NB

KnowValue SocialBonds

RoleModels

Self-Control

Com-petence

SNB

ValuesEnvironment

KnowledgeEnvironment

ENVIRONMENT

Situation

PersonE E

Affective/Control Substream

s

Cog

nitiv

e/C

ompe

tenc

e S

ubst

ream

s

DEVELOPMENT & TIME

UltimateUnderlyingCauses

Levels ofCausation

DistalPredisposingInfluences

ProximalImmediatePredictors

11

Causes, Reasons, and Strategies for Contextual and Behavioral Change

The Big 3 Causes Of Behavior

INTRAPERSONALGenetic/Biological, Personality

SOCIAL SITUATION/CONTEXTFamily, School, Friends

SOCIO-CULTURAL

ENVIRONMENTCulture/Ethnicity, SES, Media

Exposure, Social (Dis)organization

The 6 Causes Of Behavior

Sense of self, self

determination, self control

General competence, social skills

Social attachment to (bonding with) family, friends,

school

Observed (modeled)

behaviors & attitudes of

others

Value of expected

consequences

Knowledge of expected

consequences

Big 3 Self-Efficacy Social Normative Beliefs Attitudes toward the behavior

Six Reasons For Behavior Change

I really want to OR I can't help

myself

I find it easier to do than not

to

To please others -- Social

acceptance

Because "everyone else is

doing it"

To improve myself (or my

health) in ways I value

To avoid negative

consequences or gain positive

ones

6 Classes Of Strategies for Contextual Change

Improve group

empowerment

Improve general/socia

l competencie

s

Change sources and

levels of social support

Change normative environnent, role models

Change the socio-

cultural/values environnent

Change theinformational environment

6 Classes Of Strategies for Behavioral Change

Improve self control/image; Provide cues &

reminders

Teach, learn, practice

improved (social) skills

Increase social attachments; Provide/find

sources of social support

Model desired behavior; Correct

or alter normative

expectations

Teach cultural values, clarify or (re)develop values/evaluati

ons

Provide information, change expectations

Instruction in problem-solving and decision-making skills

Modes Or Channels Of Change

Individual counseling, small groups, schools; media for

modeling and cues

Modeling and increasing opportunities in communities,

schools, families and small groups, parent training, support groups,

Societal opportunities, legislation, policies, taxes, media,

communities, schools, health care systems

causes and prevention of multiple problem behaviors: the theory of triadic influence

Documents

positive action

social reinforcements

sociological theories

integrative theories

theories cross cells

matrix of theories petraitis

nih meeting

psychological bulletin