Health Behavior exam review

What is a health behavior?

Actions by individuals or groups that affect their health.

Give an example of preventive health behavior.

Getting a flu shot or using sunscreen.

What is a health-compromising behavior?

Actions that can negatively impact health, like smoking.

What’s the difference between a concept, construct, and variable?

Concept = general idea; construct = theory component; variable = measurable form.

Name the three levels of health behavior theories.

Intrapersonal, interpersonal, community-level.

What is the main purpose of a theory?

To explain why behaviors occur and how to change them.

What distinguishes self-esteem from self-efficacy?

Self-esteem = self-worth; self-efficacy = confidence to perform specific tasks.

Who developed Self-Efficacy Theory?

Albert Bandura in the 1970s.

What are the four sources of self-efficacy?

Mastery experiences, vicarious experiences, verbal persuasion, emotional state.

What is mastery experience?

Past successes that build confidence.

What is vicarious experience?

Gaining confidence by observing similar others succeed.

What role does verbal persuasion play in self-efficacy?

Encouragement increases confidence.

How does emotional state affect self-efficacy?

Anxiety lowers it; positive emotions boost it.

What is volitional control?

Behavior that you can do at will (e.g., brushing your teeth).

How is perceived behavioral control different from self-efficacy?

Perceived control = sense of control; self-efficacy = belief in ability.

What is TRA?

Theory of Reasoned Action.

What are the two main constructs of TRA?

Attitude and subjective norm.

Define subjective norms.

Beliefs about whether important others approve of a behavior.

What does intention predict in TRA/TPB?

The likelihood of performing a behavior.

What’s the key addition of TPB to TRA?

Perceived behavioral control.

Give an example of attitude in TPB.

“I believe exercising is beneficial.”

Give an example of a subjective norm.

“My family expects me to eat healthy.”

What influences perceived behavioral control?

Resources, opportunities, and barriers.

What is the Health Belief Model?

A model explaining health behavior through personal beliefs.

Who were the key developers of the HBM?

Hochbaum, Kegels, and Rosenstock in the 1950s.

Which screening behavior prompted HBM’s creation?

Tuberculosis (TB) screenings.

What does perceived susceptibility mean?

Belief about personal risk of getting a disease.

What is perceived severity?

Belief about the seriousness of a condition.

What combines to create perceived threat in HBM?

Susceptibility + Severity.

What are perceived benefits?

Beliefs about effectiveness of taking preventive action.

What are perceived barriers?

Obstacles or negative aspects of taking action.

What tends to be the strongest predictor of HBM behavior?

Perceived barriers.

Define cues to action.

Triggers that prompt behavior change.

Give an example of a cue to action.

A reminder text from the doctor.

How is self-efficacy used in HBM?

Belief in one’s ability to perform the action.

What are modifying variables?

Personal factors like age, culture, and experience.

Give an example of modifying variables.

Education level affecting mammogram perceptions.

Which constructs must align for behavior change in HBM?

High susceptibility, severity, benefits outweigh barriers, and high self-efficacy.

What critique mentions missing social factors in HBM?

Model lacks environmental, cultural, and economic influences.

Name a behavior explained by TRA/TPB.

Seatbelt use or smoking cessation.

How would you identify constructs in a case study?

Look for expressions of attitudes, norms, control, belief, triggers, or confidence.

What is the relationship between intention and behavior?

Intention strongly predicts but doesn’t guarantee behavior.

Give an example of volitional behavior.

Choosing to skip dessert.

Give an example of non-volitional behavior.

Getting enough sleep with noisy roommates.

What does "value expectancy" refer to in HBM origins?

Wanting to avoid sickness (value) and believing prevention works (expectancy).

What historical context did HBM stem from?

Free/low-cost TB screening campaigns with low uptake.

Why add perceived behavioral control to TRA?

To consider whether someone feels able to carry out the behavior.

What might be a case scenario for HBM?

A woman considering mammograms based on risk and barriers.

Name a community-level theory not in chapters.

Diffusion of Innovations.

Why are constructs, concepts, and variables important?

They help structure and measure theories clearly.

What part does emotional state play in self-efficacy?

Emotion influences confidence in performing a behavior.

Can you name a cue to action used in seatbelt campaigns?

Highway signs reminding "Buckle Up!"

How can public health use perceived benefits in programs?

Highlight advantages like early detection equals better outcomes.

Provide a scenario that shows perceived barriers.

“I don’t get a mammogram because it's painful and scary.”

What indicates a subjective norm in a story?

“My parents expect me to eat healthy.”

What indicates perceived behavioral control?

“I can exercise because I have a gym membership.”

What indicates self-efficacy in HBM?

“I know I can go through the mammogram.”

What indicates perceived susceptibility in a scenario?

“I’ve unprotected sex and worry about pregnancy.”

What indicates perceived severity in a scenario?

“A teen pregnancy would ruin my future.”

Give an example of modifying variables in a case.

Someone's cultural beliefs shaping their screening behavior.

Why might severity be less predictive than susceptibility?

People may know it's serious, but not feel personally at risk.

What’s a limitation of TRA/TPB regarding timing?

Doesn’t account for delays between intent and action.

What’s an example of social persuasion in self-efficacy?

You can do this!” from a coach.

What’s an example of vicarious experience?

Seeing a friend succeed at quitting smoking.

Why is linear decision-making a critique of TRA?

Real-life behavior can be more complex than just attitude → intention → behavior.

How would you apply TRA/TPB to increasing exercise?

Improve attitudes, use friends support, and remove barriers like gym access.

In HBM, how is self-efficacy demonstrated?

Confidence in ability, like scheduling and completing health tests.

In HBM, what are examples of cues to action for vaccines?

Text reminders and billboard campaigns.

Name two health behaviors covered by HBM.

Mammography and stress management.

What all must be true for a person to take action (HBM)?

They feel at risk, believe it's serious, see benefits outweigh barriers, have confidence, and receive cues.

According to SCT, Jane believing she will do well in class is:
A. Strong feelings of self-efficacy
B. Sense of superiority
C. Strong defense mechanisms
D. Good genetics

A. Strong feelings of self-efficacy

Luck, chance, and opportunity are examples of:
A. Stable internal
B. Stable external
C. Unstable internal
D. Unstable external

D. Unstable external

Ability and intelligence are examples of:
A. Stable internal
B. Stable external
C. Unstable internal
D. Unstable external

A. Stable internal

Avoiding bars to stop drinking is an example of:
A. Positive reinforcement
B. Controlling the environment
C. Countering
D. Shaping

C. Countering

Task difficulty, laws, access to healthcare are examples of:
A) Stable internal
B) Stable external
C) Unstable internal
D) Unstable external

B) Stable external

Social learning theories are based on whose work?
A. Bandura (1972)
B. Heider (1958)
C. Tajfel (1959)
D. Kelley (1967)

A. Bandura (1972)

An attribution of the behavior is:
A) A conclusion made about someone’s disposition
B) Attributing someone’s behavior to their disposition
C) Attributing someone’s behavior to situational factors
D) Attributing a cause to an event

D) Attributing a cause to an event

Persons who attribute much of the cause of what happens to them to control from within themselves are said to have:
A) An internal locus of control
B) An external locus of control
C) An internal locum of control
D) An external locum of control

A) An internal locus of control

According to the social learning theory, attitudes can be formed through:
A) Observing our own behavior
B) Our own experiences
C) Observing others
D) Innate drives

C) Observing others

Social learning theories are based on the work of:
A) Tajfel (1959)
B) Bandura (1972)
C) Kelley (1967)
D) Heider (1958)

B) Bandura (1972)

Which of the following is NOT true about attribution theory?
A) The cause of behavior may be external.
B) It tries to attribute causes to specific behaviors
C) Behavior’s can be attributed to one’s family heredity.
D) The cause of behavior may be internal.

C) Behavior’s can be attributed to one’s family heredity

What term was coined by Heider (1958) to refer to the role people take in trying to understand other people's behavior?
A) Anthropologists
B) Naïve psychologists
C) Active observers
D) Behavior scientists

B) Naïve psychologists

Ability and intelligence are examples of:
A) Stable internal
B) Stable external
C) Unstable internal
D) Unstable external

A) Stable internal

Effort, mood and fatigue are examples of:
A) Stable internal
B) Stable external
C) Unstable internal
D) Unstable external

C) Unstable internal

What is an attribution of behavior?
A. Assigning blame to others
B. A conclusion made about someone’s disposition
C. Attributing a cause to an event
D. Observing consequences of behavior

C. Attributing a cause to an event

Internal locus of control refers to:
A. Belief that outcomes are random
B. Belief that others control our fate
C. Belief that personal actions determine outcomes
D. Belief that nothing can change

C. Belief that personal actions determine outcomes

Which of the following is an external, stable cause?
A. Mood
B. Effort
C. Luck
D. Task difficulty

D. Task difficulty

Effort and fatigue are considered:
A. Stable internal
B. Unstable internal
C. Stable external
D. Unstable external

B. Unstable internal

Luck and chance are examples of:
A. Stable internal
B. Stable external
C. Unstable internal
D. Unstable external

D. Unstable external

According to Heider, people act as:
A. Social observers
B. Naïve psychologists
C. Rational decision makers
D. Passive participants

Naïve psychologists

Which of the following is NOT a dimension in Attribution Theory?
A. Locus of control
B. Stability
C. Control ability
D. Reinforcement

D. Reinforcement

A person attributes their success to talent. This is a(n):
A. Internal, stable cause
B. External, unstable cause
C. Internal, unstable cause
D. External, stable cause

A. Internal, stable cause

What is the first stage in the Transtheoretical Model?
A. Action
B. Precontemplation
C. Contemplation
D. Maintenance

B. Precontemplation

In which stage does someone intend to take action in the next 30 days?
A. Precontemplation
B. Preparation
C. Action
D. Maintenance

B. Preparation

The correct order of stages in the Transtheoretical Model is:
A. Precontemplation → Contemplation → Preparation → Action → Maintenance → Termination
B. Contemplation → Precontemplation → Action → Maintenance → Termination
C. Action → Maintenance → Contemplation → Termination
D. Precontemplation → Preparation → Contemplation → Action → Termination

A. Precontemplation → Contemplation → Preparation → Action → Maintenance → Termination

What process of change would be used in the Action stage?
A. Consciousness raising
B. Helping relationships
C. Self-reevaluation
D. Dramatic relief

B. Helping relationships

Which process involves reflecting on how behavior affects one's environment?
A. Environmental reevaluation
B. Social liberation
C. Reinforcement management
D. Counterconditioning

A. Environmental reevaluation

What is "self-liberation"?
A. Being free from environmental influence
B. Choosing and committing to behavior change
C. Letting go of social norms
D. Avoiding punishment

B. Choosing and committing to behavior change

What type of precontemplator is skeptical of authority and change?
A. Resigned
B. Rationalizing
C. Rebellious
D. Reluctant

C. Rebellious