Robert Meza · LinkedIn note
Individual: This includes values, attitudes and skills 2.
Aim For Behavior · 2024-03-05

Here is a tool to help you design for Behavior

The ISM tool is a comprehensive framework for behavior change, derived from the conceptual groundwork laid by Southerton et al in their 2011 review.

It was developed by the Scottish Government and is available in their guide " Influencing Behaviours - Moving Beyond the Individual - A User Guide to the ISM tool" by Andrew Darnton and Jackie Horne (image credit)

It has three key contexts that can help you design behavior-informed interventions:

1.

Individual

This includes values, attitudes and skills

2. Social: This includes social norms, networks and relationships

3.

Material

This includes materials, infrastructure and technology

ISM promotes a holistic view, integrating insights from social psychology, behavioral economics, and sociology to foster collaborative and multifaceted strategies.

Initially aimed at promoting sustainable behaviors, it can be adapted to different contexts.

It has a guide and a step-by-step process for using it:

1. Decide in advance the target behavior 2. Get a good mix of people together 3.

Introduce the tool to the team 4. Explain the context 5. Start ISM Mapping 6.

Cover all contextual factors (I,S,M) 7. Note priority factors and observations 8. Note existing policies and interventions 9.

Identify gaps 10. Develop new interventions

One limitation may be that the model does not specify intervention options linked to the influences of behavior that were identified.

Still, this is an easy guide to help you design for behavior change.

There are many models, frameworks, and theories you can use, the key is knowing which to use and when.

Which have you used?