4a: Techniques of behaviour change

Question 1

Define health behaviour

Answer 1

An activity undertaken by an individual for the purpose of preventing disease at a healthy/asymptomatic stage

Question 2

What are the components of the behaviour change wheel?

Answer 2

Capability (physical + psychological)
Motivation (automatic + reflective)
Opportunity (social + physical)

All interlinked to behaviour

Question 3

Describe Behavioural Change Techniques

Answer 3

SELF-MONITORING = most effective BCT (e.g. in cardiac rehabilitation)

• Individual keeps record of target behaviours
• Recording additional info. can help to identify barriers (e.g. mood, weather)
• Time consuming

Motivational interviewing
= A person-centred counselling style for addressing the common problem of ambivalence about change.

Question 4

Define Implementation intentions. Give an example

Answer 4

Basically ACTION PLANS (“If this happens… then..”)

Asking an individual to think about critical situations to act and appropriate responses within those situations

Example:
IF it’s friday morning at 9am THEN i will go for a run around the park

• By planning in advance the situation in which an individual will act, cues become accessible
• Strengthens the connection between good situation to act and a suitable action - so behaviour is more likely to be enacted