Digital Behaviour Change Interventions to Break and Form Habits

Abstract

Digital behaviour change interventions, particularly those using pervasive computing technology, hold great promise in supporting users to change their behaviour. However, most interventions fail to take habitual behaviour into account, limiting their potential impact. This failure is partly driven by a plethora of overlapping behaviour change theories and related strategies that do not consider the role of habits. We critically review the main theories and models used in the research to analyse their application to designing effective habitual behaviour change interventions. We highlight the potential for Dual Process Theory, modern habit theory, and Goal Setting Theory, which together model how users form and break habits, to drive effective digital interventions. We synthesise these theories into an explanatory framework, the Habit Alteration Model, and use it to outline the state of the art. We identify the opportunities and challenges of habit-focused interventions.

Self-Control in Cyberspace

“…For the purposes of the present paper, we note that none of the papers reviewed relied on dual systems models of self-regulation [cf. 45,145].…”

“…A large body of HCI work exists on how digital tools can assist behaviour change in general [38,59,87,103,160,203]. A main focus within such research on 'Digital Behaviour Change Interventions' (DBCIs, [145]) is health, for example in relation to how digital interventions may help users exercise more [38], quit smoking [1,76], eat more healthily [43,137], cope with stress [65,95], or manage chronic conditions [193].…”

“…Another recent comprehensive review [145] noted that most theories applied in DBCI studies assume a rational, deliberative process as a key determinant of behaviour (e.g. the Transtheoretical Model [151] or the Theory of Planned Behaviour [6]).…”

“…Meanwhile, the dual systems and valuebased models prominent in current cognitive neuroscience research on self-regulation 1 [22,28,165,168,191,200] have yet to be applied [cf. 45,145].…”

“…to digital behaviour change interventions [145], our formulation of the model incorporates recent research on the 'expected value of control' [167] as mediator of the strength of conscious self-control. This, we argue, demystifies the concept of self-control and helps clarify how specific design features may work to scaffold successful self-control.…”