The main behaviour change models in literature

In recent years there is a growing interest in behaviour change largely drawn from psychology and informed by economics and sociology.7 Changing behaviour is a tricky concept that we try to make more understandable and tangible through the use of models. Behaviour change models consider the wide range of psychological, social, societal and contextual factors such as emotions, habits and routines. They are designed to help us to understand how behaviours develop and change over time, and identify the underlying factors that influence it so that we can develop effective intervention strategies 8

I-Change Model

One of the behaviour change models is the Integrated Change model (I-Change model; De Vries et al., 2005). This model is the more comprehensive follow-up to the ASE model (De Vries, 1988) and provides an overview of what goes into the choice we make to exercise, for example.

7 Michie S, et al. (2008). From theory to intervention: mapping theoretically derived behavioural determinants to behaviour change techniques. Applied Psychology: an international review 57(4):660–680

8 Darnton A (2008). Practical Guide: An overview of behaviour change models and their uses. London: Government Social Research Service (GSR))

9 de Vries H, Mesters I, Van de Steeg H, et al. The general public’s information needs and perceptions regarding hereditary cancer: an application of the integrated change

Patient Educ Couns 2005; 56: 154–165.

Behind the I-Change model are the ideas of five older theories. One is the Transtheoretical model (Prochaska & Di Clemente, 1982), which describes six stages of behaviour change. The blocks also found in the ASE model (attitude, social influence, self-efficacy, intention and behaviour) are based on the Theory of Planned behaviour (Ajzen, 1985).

In addition to these two theories, the Goal Setting Theory (Locke and Latham, 1968) is also included. This deals with how to set good, achievable behavioural goals. The idea is that having a good behavioural goal in mind increases the likelihood that you will achieve that goal. This most clearly ties into the “capability factors” box, but relates to more parts of I-Change.

The fourth model behind I-Change is the Health Belief Model This includes predisposing factors and awareness (knowledge, the trigger for action, and risk perception). It also recognizes attitude (the benefits of a particular behaviour) and deals with barriers. The model focuses mainly on health and disease and predicts the likelihood of taking action.

Finally, Social Cognitive Theory (Bandura, 1986) is still included in I-Change. This model talks about the emergence and maintenance of behavioural patterns. The factors of “environment” (social and physical), personal (selfefficacy, emotion) and behaviour (capacity, knowledge) constantly influence each other, according to this model.

I-Change merges all these elements into an orderly whole. However, the above theories do not really deal with the role of the professional as motivator. Therefore, we want to introduce the Self determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 2011) which incorporates a number of studies around the role of the professional.