What is perceived behavioral control?

Perceived behavioral control refers to the belief about how easy or difficult it is to perform a specific behavior. This concept is part of the Theory of Planned Behavior, which suggests that individuals consider not only their attitudes and subjective norms but also their perceived ability to enact behaviors when making decisions. When a person believes that they have the necessary resources or abilities to carry out a behavior, they are more likely to engage in that behavior.

For instance, if someone thinks that exercising is easy to do given their schedule and access to a gym, their perceived behavioral control is high, leading to a greater likelihood of them following through with the intention to exercise. Conversely, if they perceive significant obstacles or challenges, their likelihood of participating decreases.

The other options reflect different aspects of motivation and support, such as the expectation of social assistance, the understanding of personal skills, or the motivation itself, but do not capture the essence of perceived behavioral control which is focused specifically on the individual's belief regarding the ease of performing a behavior.