What does the Theory of Reasoned Action primarily aim to predict?

The Theory of Reasoned Action is fundamentally concerned with predicting an individual's likelihood of engaging in a specific behavior based on their current beliefs, attitudes, and intentions. This theory posits that a person's intention to perform a behavior is influenced by their attitudes toward the behavior and the subjective norms surrounding it.

When a person evaluates the outcomes of a behavior and considers the social pressures or expectations from others, they form an intention, which is a strong predictor of whether they will actually perform that behavior. Therefore, the theory is valuable in understanding how existing beliefs and attitudes can lead to a likelihood of action, making it a powerful framework in fields such as health promotion, marketing, and behavioral change.

While the other options present interesting concepts, they do not encapsulate the primary aim of the Theory of Reasoned Action. For instance, predicting future social trends or preexisting attitudes and behaviors does not focus on the immediate factors that lead to the intention to act, which is central to this theory. Additionally, responses to emotional challenges are not addressed by this theory, which is more focused on cognitive processes rather than emotional responses.