Which behavioral model works best?
In my work evaluating and building behaviour change frameworks for clients, from governments to the private sector, I always get asked which is the best one - and the answer unfortunately will always be... it depends on what we are trying to achieve.
Most recently, i’ve been exploring UNICEF’s Behavioural Drivers Model (BDM). It’s very comprehensive and tries to integrate behavioral and decision science into practice, synthesizing insights from 25 theories and models into a structured framework for understanding and influencing behaviour.
The model helps answer two simple but fundamental questions:
1) Why do people do what they do? 2) How do we influence what they do?
It organizes behavioral drivers into three domains specific areas:
-Psychology -Sociology -Environment
This structure helps us get a more holistic diagnostic view that combines individual, social, and structural influences on behavior.
If you are thinking of using BDM you will like that accounts for some systems thinking and behavioral theory, however like most of the behavioral models/frameowkrs out there, you need to see how well you as a non behavioral scientist could use it in practice.
For example, and this may only be a limitation of the publication of it, I don't see an easy and systematic way of connecting identified drivers to say strategies or interventions, but I guess this is where applied behavioral design is needed.
Sp while the BDM can provide a conceptual backbone, the challenge (and opportunity) lies in translating it into action and for your own context.
Have you see it, have you tried it, would you try it?