The theory of planned behaviour and cyberbullying: perceived behavioural control in a disinhibiting online environment

Recent studies applying the Theory of Planned Behaviour to Cyberbullying have reported that Perceived Behavioural Control (PBC) provides the weakest contribution when predicting Intention to Cyberbully and Cyberbullying. Online Disinhibition (OD), which may offer an explanation, describes a state resulting from conditions of anonymity, reduced social cues and less consideration of consequences in which individuals can be prone to more aggressive and impulsive behaviour in an online environment. An OD scale was developed to survey a convenience sample of 266 undergraduates (Females = 206) and revealed a small positive correlation between PBC and OD (r = .26); suggesting that individuals who perceive themselves as having more control over cyberbullying may experience slightly higher disinhibition when online. While refinement of the OD scale is needed; these findings have implications for preventing cyberbullying through awareness of the disinhibiting nature of the online environment