1. Using the theory of planned behaviour to understand cyberbullying:
Perceived behavioural control in a disinhibiting online environment
Kerryn Brack, Nerina Caltabiano and Marie Caltabiano Department of Psychology, James Cook University, Cairns
Copyright Colin Purrington (
Introduction
Intentions are predicted by Attitudes, Social Norms and Perceived Behavioural Control (Theory of Planned Behaviour; Azjen & Fishbein, 1980).
Perceived Behavioural Control (PBC) is not always a meaningful predictor of Intention to Cyberbully (Pabian & Vandebosch, 2014).
Online environments can be disinhibiting.
Higher aggression, impulsivity, self-disclosure (Suler, 2004)
People may think they have control over cyberbullying, but this might be because they are disinhibited.
Hypotheses:
Online Disinhibition and PBC of Cyberbullying will be positively correlated.
PBC will not correlate highly with Attitudes, Social Norms or Intent to Cyberbully
Results
On average, individuals reported experiencing a moderate level of Online Disinhibition
M = (Range = 15 – 75)
On average, individuals reported having a moderate level of Perceived Behavioural Control over cyberbullying
M = (Range = )
Online Disinhibition demonstrated a very small positive correlation with Age (r = .17, p < .01)
Discussions
Those who think they have more control over cyberbullying also experience more Online Disinhibition
PBC of cyberbullying demonstrates small relationships with other Theory of Planned Behaviour variables
What other factors influence the level of online disinhibition experienced by individuals?
Self-awareness?
Situational anonymity?
Situational norms?
What underlying control beliefs contribute to an individual’s level of Perceived Behavioural Control of cyberbullying (Pabian et al., 2014)?
Control of technology?
Control of information?
Control of reaction?
Control of self-presentation?
Does the Theory of Planned Behaviour apply to different age and gender cohorts in relation to cyberbullying?
Gender differences in relationship between Online Disinhibition and PBC
Does Online Disinhibition mediate or moderate PBC in some way?
How does this work with the Theory of Planned Behaviour as a model?
Implications of Online Disinhibition for cyberbullying interventions
Spearman’s rho correlations
Total
Intent to Cyberbully
Attitudes towards Cyberbullying
Social Norms of Cyberbullying
Perceived Behavioural Control of Cyberbullying
Online Disinhibition
rs = .19**
rs = .13*
rs = .18**
rs = .23***
rs = .16*
rs = .21*
N = 266, *p < .05, ** p < .01, *** p < .001
Males
Intent to Cyberbully
Attitudes towards Cyberbullying
Social Norms of Cyberbullying
Perceived Behavioural Control of Cyberbullying
Online Disinhibition
rs = .18
rs = .16
rs = .02
rs = .11
rs = .12
rs = .08
rs = .13
Methods
Design and Participants
Online survey
266 undergraduates, 77% female, years old
Measures
Intent to Cyberbully (4 items)
Attitudes towards Cyberbullying (3 items)
Social Norms around Cyberbullying (2 items)
Perceived Behavioural Control of Cyberbullying (2 items)
Online Disinhibition scale developed (15 items)
Subscale 1: Ease of social interaction
Subscale 2: Reduced responsibility/consequences
Subscale 3: Dissociative online experience
n = 57
Females
Intent to Cyberbully
Attitudes towards Cyberbullying
Social Norms of Cyberbullying
Perceived Behavioural Control of Cyberbullying
Online Disinhibition
rs = .17*
rs = .07
rs = .20**
rs = .23***
rs = .13
rs = .10
rs = .19**
n = 201, *p < .05, ** p < .01
Literature cited
Pabian, S., & Vandebosch, H. (2014). Using the theory of planned behaviour to understand cyberbullying: The importance of beliefs for developing interventions. European Journal of Developmental Psychology, 11(4), doi: /
Azjen, I., & Fishbein, M. (1980). Understanding attitudes and predicting social behaviour. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall
Suler, J. (2004). The online disinhibition effect. CyberPsychology and Behaviour, 7(3), doiL /
Further information
Information on cyberbullying:
Lifeline 24hr Crisis Line: