Overview

Topics covered in this module will include essential models of behaviour change and contemporary techniques developed to engender and support change. Students will not only develop a detailed theoretical knowledge of this domain, they will also apply their knowledge to address real-world challenges. The module is interactive and will involve traditional lectures, group work and group assignments. Each week will comprise a traditional two-hour lecture developed by the Module Organiser and a weekly seminar. The seminars will adopt a problem-based approach to learning. Before the start of each seminar students will be given background reading to complete. Then based on this reading and the previous lecture students will be expected to tackle a brief and develop a new intervention. The content of the lectures will include:

• Prospect Theory
• Anchoring
• Social Norms
• Loss Aversion
• Message Framing
• Status Quo Bias
• Paradox of Choice
• Psychology of Pricing
• Hyperbolic Discounting
• Choice Architecture
• Type 1 & Type 2 Decision Making
• Heuristics
• Temporal Dimensions
• Principle of Reciprocity

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -Students will have a superficial understanding of behaviour change, although this is likely to be largely based on the lecture material. No credible evidence of synthesising information from a range of different sources and students are likely to struggle to apply academic models and frameworks to an applied context. Answers will have a basic structure although the student’s argument is likely to contain a number of flaws in logic. -good -Students will have a good understanding of most areas of behaviour change, demonstrating some reading beyond the lecture material. Students will attempt to synthesise information from a range of different sources, although key details may be missed. Students will attempt to analyse academic research, and apply the research in an applied context although the analysis is likely to lack critical insight. Answers will have a clear structure with a reasonably coherent argument throughout. -excellent -Students will have an extensive understanding of all areas of behaviour change, demonstrating extensive reading beyond the lecture material, synthesising information from a range of different sources. Students will be able to critically analyse research based on its academic merit and discuss the relevance of this research in an applied context. Answers will be well structured with a compelling and coherent argument throughout..

Learning Outcomes

• Consider and appreciate the role of technology in supporting behaviour change.

• Demonstrate the critical ability to design, develop and apply appropriate behaviour change interventions to real-world challenges and scenarios.

• Understand and apply systematic design processes to create effective change interventions.

• Understand and evaluate theory, techniques and models of behaviour change including when to apply them appropriately.