The Theory Of Planned Behavior By Erich Goode

Drinking alcohol is commonly associated with celebrating. Parties, relaxing with friends, and holidays are all examples of “reasons” to drink. However, research has shown that too much alcohol is no cause for celebration. There are many different health and safety issues related to binge drinking, including alcohol dependence, alcohol poisoning, alcohol related accidents and deaths. The Theory of Planned Behavior can explain binge drinking situations thoroughly, as well as many other health problems. This theory is similar to Labeling Theory, a theory mentioned by Erich Goode in the textbook. Both of these theories explain the “why” of deviant acts, giving society a different outlook on these deviances. Being able to determine the statistics

Specifically, binge drinking seems to be most common among people from the ages of eighteen to thirty-four (“Alcohol and Public Health.”). Those who fall into this age group use alcohol more than any other age groups and use it excessively. People who attend college are commonly among this age group, and follow the “college” reputation, drinking and partying much more than other age groups. Adhering to the party reputation is one major reason why this particular age group is particularly affected by the binge drinking culture. Binge drinking is defined as having five or more drinks in one sitting, but the numbers can change depending on gender, requiring that men drink more than twenty-one units per week and women over fourteen units per week to be considered binge drinkers (Norman, Paul, et al.). While binge drinking is very common, society still considers this act to be deviant. The main points of deviance are the health and safety concerns related to alcohol. As stated previously, many different health issues are caused and formed by excess alcohol consumption. Those who binge drink regularly run the risk of being alcohol dependent, which can lead to becoming an alcoholic. Binge drinking has a direct correlation to alcohol dependency, as a clear sign for becoming alcohol dependent is an excessive

When discussing binge drinking, the theory that applies the best is the Labeling theory. This theory was created on the basis of three simple premises (Goode). The first is when people act upon the meaning that things have for them. The second is the meaning growing out of the interaction with others. And lastly, the meaning is continually modified by interpretation. These principles are similar to the theory of Planned Behavior. Similar to the Planned Behavior theory, acting upon the meaning is the same as evaluation the behavior. Being able to act upon the meaning of binge drinking is to engage in binge drinking itself. Acting on the meaning of the deviant behavior is the first step of the Labeling Theory. Second, is the meaning growing with the interaction of others, the same as social influence. After discovering the meaning of drinking, continuing to binge drink comes from the attention and being accepted by others. The last part of labeling theory is similar to the last part of the Planned Behavior theory as well. This part is based upon interpretation, like perceptions. Being able to control how much alcohol is involved when a person is drinking is based on their own interpretation. As stated earlier, one more drink could be acceptable or could push a person over the edge into binge drinking. Being able to connect this theory taught by Goode with the theory that has been connected to