Behavior change and policy
Brofenbrenner’s Ecological Model person Microsystem Mesosystem Exosystem Macrosystem
Brofenbrenner’s Ecological Model Microsystem: direct interaction with the person (family, classroom, work setting) Mesosystem: interactions between two or more settings containing the person (home and work) Exosystem: social settings influencing the person significantly (public school system; health care institutions; public welfare system) Macrosystem: laws, policies, values in the culture.
What impacts change? Habit: automatic cued by the environment Habits are mentally efficient so can be difficult to control We are less likely to seek and assimilate new information
Downstream or Upstream Approaches Downstream – focuses on a change in the individual Upstream – focuses on changing the environment
Downstream Approaches Consider individual attitudes, motivations, skills, and environmental situation. Consider cognitive dissonance – ambivalence toward change, and dissonance between intentions and behavior
Planned behavior theory Behavior guided by salient or perceived beliefs: Behavioral beliefs: beliefs about the likely consequences of behavior and how important those consequences are Normative beliefs: beliefs about what others expect and importance of those expectations Control beliefs: beliefs about what will help or hurt performance of the behavior and the importance of these factors
Consider two dimensions for outcomes… Positive vs. Negative – which is more salient for the person? Reducing the negative consequences of a behavior or increasing the positive consequences? How might you determine this?
Another dimension… Instrumental outcomes vs. emotional outcomes : what are the material costs and benefits (instrumental) and what are the emotional costs and benefits? If conflicting – emotional may be stronger
From intention to action Failure to get started – forget, miss opportune moments, initial reluctance/discomfort Getting derailed – distractions, cravings, stress
If-then plans Specifies where, when and how the behavior change will happen Helps because it prepares the person for the change (perceptually ready) Rehearses the change (new habit!)
Upstream Approaches Change the environment to support the desired change in behavior!
Strategies Operant Conditioning: reinforce desired behavior; aversive consequences for negative behavior Infrastructure changes Education – public information Legislation
Translating research into policy Evidence based behavioral change Need both downstream and upstream strategies Don’t over-rely on survey and focus group data Take an interdisciplinary approach
Change is possible… Specify target for change Identify behavioral, normative, control beliefs Identify positive/negative and instrumental/emotional components Recognize change can occur Have specific strategies for change Consider change in the person and in the environment (downstream + upstream)