Perceptual Deterrence Theory

This study anchors on the theory of “Perceptual Deterrence theory” the “Theory of Reasoned Action” and the “Theory of Planned behavior”. The three theories are important to the study because research suggests drug testing does not work and that a drug user would have considerable control over positive test. The first suggests that drug testing should work, while the latter theory gives some explanation for why drug testing has not deterred drug used.

Perceptual Deterrence theory The Perceptual Deterrence theory was founded the ancient doctrine of having a strength or skill over someone weaker (Summerfiel, 2006). Justice systems have evolved from this power to establish a fear of punishment to a strong deterrent. The modern judicial system

This theory seeks to examine the attitudes of a deterrent affecting an individual or a group behavior. PDT was only recently applied specifically to random drug test to a study by Strelan&Boeckmann (2006). In this first and presently only study on PDT “Theory of reasoned action” and random drug testing, Strelan&Boeckmann emphasized their research as “a long-overdue theoretical framework, perceptual deterrence, to predicting the excluded drug-use decision. Findings indicated that fear of consequences was only a factor when considered apart from other factors. When considered with moral reasoning and health outcomes, the fear of consequences basically disappeared from an individual’s attitude. Moral reasoning and health outcomes were the most essential deterrent to participants.

Theory of Reasoned Action Theory of reasoned action theory has been used in drug testing literature to draw connections from attitude to the behavioral intention then to behavior. In fact, most of the literature has focused on attitude leading to the behavioral intentions (Diacin et al, 2003; Strelan&Boeckmann, 2006). Literature focusing on attitude toward Random Drug testing has led research to conclude behavioral intentions are strongly against drug use, though few studies have distinctively referenced theory of reasoned action in their testing modes

Theory of planned behavior was designed to understand the relationship between attitudes and actual behavior when “theory of reasoned action” could not account for the behavior , such as health issues. Theory of planned behavior was an addition to the theory of action reasoned action that allowed for perceived behavioral control (Ajzen). Theory of planned behavior was intended to contradict the theory of reasoned action as studies showed behavioral intention did not always lead to behavior change (Ajzen). It is perceived behavioral control that becomes an interest in Random drug testing, because students have such a high amount of control in beating drug testing. In models such PDT and TRA “Theory of reasoned action” use should be deterred simply because of a consequence in the end, but theory planned behavior allows for control of other factors in random drug testing theory of planned behavior allows one explanation to the studies that indicate Random drug testing does not deter reported use, even though attitude does modify when the threat of Random drug testing behavior is