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

2. 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

3. 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

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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

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

10. 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)

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

12. 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

13. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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