The reasoned action approach extends the theory of planned behavior by differentiating between different subcomponents of the attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control constructs in the theory of planned behavior.

The Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) suggests that a person’s behavior is determined by their intention to perform the behavior and that this intention is, in turn, a function of their attitude toward the behavior and subjective norms (Fishbein & Ajzen, 1975).

For example, if our attitude leads us to want to go out on a date but we have no money, our lack of money will prevent our attitude from causing us to go on a date. Specifically, Reasoned Action predicts that behavioral intent is created or caused by two factors: our attitudes and our subjective norms.

Two closely associated theories – The Theory of Reasoned Action and the Theory of Planned Behavior – suggest that a person’s health behavior is determined by their intention to perform a behavior.

The theory suggests that a person’s behavioural intentions will be depending on his attitudes and Subjective norms. That is BI = A+SN.

TRA serves as a useful model because it can help examine whether “consumers’ intentions to use coupons are determined by their attitudes and perceptions of whether important others think one should or should not expend the effort to clip, save, and use coupons”.

Overall, the theory of reasoned action consists of behavior, intention to perform the behavior, attitudes, subjective norms, and external variables. These factors play a significant role when recognizing the power of attitude on behavior.

The theory of planned behavior (TPB) and the theory of reasoned action (TRA) have been used to successfully plan and evaluate numerous interventions for many different behaviors. The aim of this study was to systematically review and synthesize TPB and TRA-based dietary behavior interventions targeting adolescents and young adults.

Samuel Lim, in Artificial Intelligence in Behavioral and Mental Health Care, 2016 The Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) suggests that a person’s behavior is determined by their intention to perform the behavior and that this intention is, in turn, a function of their attitude toward the behavior and subjective norms (Fishbein & Ajzen, 1975 ).

Prototype/Willingness Model is an extension of the Theory of Reasoned Action and posits two paths, a reasoned path and a social reaction path, to engaging in risky behaviors such as substance use. The reasoned path represents an intentional style of processing whereby actions are premeditated and are a function of behavioral intentions.