Evolutionary learning processes as the foundation for behaviour change

Rik Crutzen*, Gjalt-Jorn Ygram Peters

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal(Systematic) Review article peer-review

Abstract

We argue that the active ingredients of behaviour change interventions, often called behaviour change methods (BCMs) or techniques (BCTs), can usefully be placed on a dimension of psychological aggregation. We introduce evolutionary learning processes (ELPs) as fundamental building blocks that are on a lower level of psychological aggregation than BCMs/BCTs. A better understanding of ELPs is useful to select the appropriate BCMs/BCTs to target determinants of behaviour, or vice versa, to identify potential determinants targeted by a given BCM/BCT, and to optimally translate them into practical applications. Using these insights during intervention development may increase the likelihood of developing effective interventions - both in terms of behaviour change as well as maintenance of behaviour change.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)43-57
Number of pages15
JournalHealth Psychology Review
Volume12
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018

Keywords

  • Learning processes
  • evolutionary learning
  • behaviour change
  • methods
  • techniques
  • INTERVENTIONS
  • FRAMEWORK
  • INFORMATION
  • TAXONOMY
  • METAANALYSIS
  • SCIENCE
  • OBESITY
  • ADULTS

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