A template for describing behaviour change theories Robert West University College London European Health Psychology Society Conference August 2015

What are theories and what are they for? Theories are … sets of generalised propositions purporting to explain sets of observations Theories consist of … specification of an organised set of constructs and relationships between these specification of how this explains a set of observations Theories aim to … Provide understanding, predict the future and inform technology, engineering and interventions

Models versus theories Models describe - theories explain Explanation implies causality Statements of causality involve an explicit or implicit ‘counterfactual’ - what would have happened given a specified alternative

A review of 83 theories of behaviour change Theories were identified and characterised according to a specified protocol www.behaviourchangetheories.com

What do theories of behaviour change say? In many cases it is not possible to say precisely because Constructs and relationships are not adequately defined Construct labels are used inconsistently Important constructs and relationships are left implicit

What is the scope of behaviour change theories? In many cases it is impossible to say because It is not stated It is implicit It is stated in a way that in unclear

What is the justification for the theories? In many cases it is impossible to say because There was no systematic, comprehensive review and analysis of existing theories The review of existing theories does not identify specific areas where they 1) left important gaps, or 2) made statements that were incorrect

What are the intended uses of the theories? In many cases it is impossible to say because They are not specified They are implicit They are specified without justification or analysis, or comparison with other potentially relevant theories

A possible theory specification template Name Brief summary Scope Target Type Rationale Constructs Relationships Operationalisation Provenance Similarity Complementarity Hypotheses Uses

Scope To what does the theory apply? Types or aspects of behaviour (e.g. intentional) Populations (e.g. children) Types of influence on behaviour (e.g. motivational) Settings (e.g. western countries)

Target What is the theory seeking to explain? Formal observations Discrepancies between observations and existing theories

Type What type of theory is it? Statistical: postulates statistical associations between constructs Realist: proposes objects, events and processes that occur in the real world Dynamic: intrinsically captures changes over time Narrative: involves metaphor and story-telling

Rationale What is the justification for a new theory? Scope: covers areas not previously covered Accuracy: improves consistency with observations Parsimony: involves fewer components Usability: is easier to apply in research and practice Clarity: is more precise and comprehensible

Constructs What objects, characteristics, substances, actions, events or processes does the theory postulate? Label Definition

Relationships What relationships does the theory propose between constructs? Label Specification of constructs involved Specification of the relationship

Operationalisation How can constructs or relationships be detected or assessed? Measure Index Inference

Provenance From what has the theory been derived and how? Other theories Observations Process of derivation

Similarity To what other theories is the theory similar? Theories Ways in which it is similar

Complementarity With what other theories is the theory complementary? Ways in which the theory adds value

Hypotheses What are core hypotheses of the theory? Actually testable Potentially testable Derivation of the hypothesis Degree of linkage

Uses To what uses can the theory be put? Understanding Prediction Intervention

Possible discussion points Will a template be useful? How detailed should it be? What should it contain? How should it be developed and disseminated?