learningforsustainability.netBehaviour change - guides to approaches and theories
This page provides access to a range of guides that provide information, tools and techniques for those wishing to manage the social processes required to support community and regional development. The basic principles are universal and there are a wide range of guides developed in many different contexts that can help us. However, to achieve change policy makers and others need to be aware of the characteristics of complex social systems, and what these mean for the design of constructive interventions. It is also important to clearly set out a theory of change and logic models that build interventions that link operations with the required organizational and social activities.
- How the science of behaviour change can help with sustainability This article is a good place to start if this is a new topic to you. In this Guardian article Les Robinson shares his tips on how the science of behaviour change can help to make sustainability initiatives more effective. He addresses some of the key questions such as "how to move beyond the converted?, and what to do when people just don't appear interested. The role of key theories of change are explained.
- Reference Report: An overview of behaviour change models and their uses
This report by Andrew Darnton has been designed to accompany the Practical Guide to Behaviour Change models (see next entry). It provides a descriptive account of over 60 social-psychological models and theories of behaviour and discusses some issues to consider when using models. It also provides additional resources in the Appendices to enable readers to access the vast amount of literature in this area and see where models have been used to address
particular behaviours previously. This review makes the distinction between models of behaviour and theories of change. - Practical Guide: An overview of behaviour change models and their uses This report by Andrew Darnton summarises the key elements of Behaviour Change theory as well as providing information on the use of models. The report links with the longer reference report (above) that details behaviour change models. The Guide begins by providing a brief overview of the range of social-psychological
models, theories and principles covered in more detail in the Reference Report, followed by a discussion of the key considerations when using behavioural models to design interventions. This sets the scene for the Nine Principles on the use of models in the
intervention development process.
- A framework for pro-environmental behaviours TThis 2008 report sets out a framework for Defra’s work on pro-environmental behaviour. It pulls together evidence on public understanding, attitudes and behaviours; identifies behaviour goals; and draws conclusions on the potential for change across a range of behaviour groups
- Tools of Change: Proven Methods for Promoting Health, Safety and Environmental Citizenship This Canadian website, founded on the principles of community-based social marketing, offers specific tools, case studies, and a planning guide for helping people take actions and adopt habits that promote health and/or are more environmentally-friendly. This Web site will help you include in your programs the best practices of many other programs - practices that have already been successful in changing people's behaviour.
- The Change Management Toolbook This site by Holger Nauheimer provides a sizeable collection of tools, methods and strategies which you can apply during different stages of personal, team and organizational development, in training, facilitation and consulting. It is divided in three principle sections: Self, Team and Larger System. The site's introduction to change management is a good place to start. You may have to register on the site to start using this resource.
- Recommendations for behaviour change programs to reduce greenhouse impacts in SA This report by Julia Winefield considers how to achieve a shift towards more sustainable and greenhouse friendly behaviour and make recommendations for behaviour change programs in South Australia based on these findings. It does this by an examination of evidence-based theories of behaviour change and actual programs that have been run in Australia and Canada.
- Understanding and influencing behaviours: a review of social
research, economics and policy making in Defra This discussion paper draws on experience within Defra using a range of case studies to highlight how policy development is taking practical steps to deliver 'change'. The premise for this paper is that the heart of the issue is not about „behaviour change? but rather how translating a better understanding of behaviours (gained via economic and social research) directly into policy can influence change through the provision of evidence based, highly effective
instruments. Whilst not an exhaustive review, the paper demonstrates how research and analysis is helping to understand behaviour, how this shapes our thinking about policy development and informs the choice of interventions adopted. Another useful Defra report is A framework for pro-environmental behaviours