From intention to action: The psychology of behaviour change

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Week fourteen: From intention to action: The psychology of behaviour change

Introduction

Behaviour change is part of everyday life. People often set intentions and make decisions about the way they want to live: to sleep earlier; revise more regularly; or reduce screen time, to name a few. Sometimes these intentions lead to sustained lasting change, but all too often they do not, creating what psychologists call an 'intention-behaviour gap'. Psychological research has examined why this gap occurs and has consistently found that intentions alone are rarely enough to drive behaviour. Everyday habits, competing goals, emotional demands, and the many different contexts in which behaviour occurs all play a powerful role in shaping what people actually do.

This week explores why behaviour change can be challenging and what psychological research can contribute to explaining these difficulties. You will examine behaviour at several interacting levels: Individual (such as intentions, habits, emotion, and self-control); Social (including group-based identities, shared norms and expectations that shape how people behave in family, community, workplace, and other social contexts), and; Environmental (such as the places people live and work, their everyday routines, access to resources and services, and the wider constraints that shape what behaviours are possible or likely). Together, these levels help to explain why everyday behaviour that may seem simple in theory, can be challenging to achieve and sustain in practice.

In Chapter six 'Understanding behaviour change' you will be introduced to key theories and models used to explain how and why behaviour changes. As you move through the week, you will apply these ideas to practical, real-world examples. You will consider how stress and mental health can influence behaviour, how identity, place and community can both positively and negatively shape people's responses to change, and how behaviour change interventions are evaluated in applied settings such as, health, well-being, and environmental action. You will also develop your academic writing skills to produce clear, evidence-based explanations of behaviour.

Aims

After studying this week's material, you should be able to:

· Describe key psychological factors that influence behaviour change at individual, social, and systemic levels.

· Apply concepts from chapter six to examples of everyday behaviour.

· Explain how stress, emotional demands, and mental health can affect people's ability to carry out intended actions.

· Describe how social identity, group norms and connection to place can shape behaviour in social and environmental contexts.

· Evaluate simple behaviour change interventions using appropriate questions and evidence.

· Produce clear, concise written explanations of behaviour that link examples to relevant psychological concepts.

Activity Planner

One. Why behaviour change is difficult

Activity one point one. Reflecting on everyday behaviour

Two. Studying Chapter six 'Understanding behaviour change'

Three. Identity, place and behaviour in social and environmental contexts

Three point one. Social identity and "people like us"

Activity three point one Spotting "I" and "we" in behaviour change messages

Discussion

Three point two Place attachment and behaviour

Activity three point two How place attachment can support or constrain behaviour change Allow around fifteen to twenty minutes for this activity

Situations

Discussion

· Opposition to flood defences:

· Supporting home flood-proofing:

Three point three Identity, place and the intention behaviour gap

Activity three point three Exploring Behaviour in context

Neighbourhood profiles:

Questions

Discussion

End of activity

Activity three point four Identity, place and climate adaptation in practice

Questions

Discussion

Two) One psychological reason for resistance

Two) One design improvement

End of activity

Four. Stress, mental health and everyday behaviour

Four point one. Why stress disrupts behaviour change

Activity four point one Behaviour under pressure

Discussion

Five Methods: Evaluating behaviour change interventions

Activity five point one Evaluating behaviour change interventions

Discussion

Seven Skills and Methods: Writing about behaviour change

Seven point one How to critically read behaviour-change research

Seven point two Why cautious interpretation matters

Seven point three Applying skills

Activity Seven point one Reading research on behaviour change

Discussion

Eight Independent study options

Option One: Behaviour change and climate communication (Allow around forty-five to sixty minutes)

Option Two: Digital well-being and everyday behaviour

Option Three: Behaviour Change in Health Campaigns - What Actually Helps People Change?

Nine Summary and looking ahead

Overview

The document examines why behaviour change is often difficult by analyzing the intention-behaviour gap and the multifaceted influences on individual actions. It explores key psychological concepts and provides practical insights for understanding and facilitating behaviour change in real-world settings.

Key Points

1Behaviour change is influenced by individual intentions, habits, and emotional demands
2Social and environmental contexts significantly shape behaviours and responses to change
3Psychological theories can explain both successful and unsuccessful behaviour changes
4Community-focused messages can enhance the effectiveness of behaviour change interventions
5Place attachment can motivate or hinder behaviour change depending on perceived threats to valued locations

Details

Category: Psychology

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