Theory Database - Theory 83: Value Belief Norm Theory

Theory Database (prototype)

This is a searchable database of theories of behaviour change that have been formalised according to an Ontology-Based Modelling System.

For more information, see:

West, R., Godinho, C. A., Bohlen, L. C., Carey, R. N., Hastings, J., Lefevre, C. E., & Michie, S. (2019). Development of a formal system for representing behaviour-change theories. Nature human behaviour, 3(5), 526. doi.org/10.1038/s41562-019-0561-2.
Hale, J., Hastings, J., West, R., Lefevre, C. E., Direito, A., Connell Bohlen, L., Godinho, C., Anderson, N., Zink, S., Goarke, H., and Michie, S. (2020) An ontology-based modelling system (OBMS) for representing behaviour change theories applied to 76 theories [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]. Wellcome Open Research.

Theory 83: Value Belief Norm Theory

Number of Constructs: 15
Number of Triples: 23

Theory triples

Self-transcendent values influences New ecological paradigm
Egoistic values negatively influences New ecological paradigm
Traditional values negatively influences New ecological paradigm
New ecological paradigm influences Awareness of consequences (beliefs)
Pro-environmental personal norm influences Environmental activism
Pro-environmental personal norm influences Environmental citizenship
Pro-environmental personal norm influences Policy support
Pro-environmental personal norm influences Private-sphere behaviours
Ascription of responsibility influences Pro-environmental personal norm
Awareness of consequences (beliefs) influences Ascription of responsibility
Openness to change values influences New ecological paradigm
Self-transcendent values influences Egoistic values
Self-transcendent values influences Traditional values
Self-transcendent values correlates with Openness to change values
Egoistic values influences Traditional values
Egoistic values influences Openness to change values
Traditional values influences Openness to change values
Self-transcendent values type of Personal values
Egoistic values type of Personal values
Traditional values type of Personal values
Openness to change values type of Personal values
Altruistic values type of Self-transcendent values
Biospheric values type of Self-transcendent values

Theory illustration

Theory Reference

Stern, P.C., Dietz, T. Abel, T., Guagnano, G.A. & Kalof, L. (1999). A Value-Belief-Norm Theory of Support for Social Movements: The Case of Environmentalism. Research in Human Ecology, 6(2), 81-97.