Theory Database - Theory 41: Needs-Opportunities-Abilities Model

This is a searchable database of theories of behaviour change that have been formalised according to an Ontology-Based Modelling System.

For more information, see:

West, R., Godinho, C. A., Bohlen, L. C., Carey, R. N., Hastings, J., Lefevre, C. E., & Michie, S. (2019). Development of a formal system for representing behaviour-change theories. Nature human behaviour, 3(5), 526. doi.org/10.1038/s41562-019-0561-2.
Hale, J., Hastings, J., West, R., Lefevre, C. E., Direito, A., Connell Bohlen, L., Godinho, C., Anderson, N., Zink, S., Goarke, H., and Michie, S. (2020) An ontology-based modelling system (OBMS) for representing behaviour change theories applied to 76 theories [version 1; peer review: 2 approved]. Wellcome Open Research.

Theory 41: Needs-Opportunities-Abilities Model

Number of Constructs: 38
Number of Triples: 42

Theory triples

Behaviour influences Consequences
Intention influences Behaviour
Motivation to perform influences Intention
Behavioural control influences Intention
Macro / societal factors influences Abilities
Macro / societal factors influences Needs
Macro / societal factors influences Opportunities
Abilities influences Opportunity search
Opportunity search influences Opportunities
Opportunities influences Motivation to perform
Opportunities influences Behavioural control
Abilities influences the 'Opportunities' to 'Behavioural control' Influences relationship
Needs influences the 'Abilities' to 'Opportunity search' Influences relationship
Needs influences the 'Opportunities' to 'Motivation to perform' Influences relationship
Technology type of Macro / societal factors
Economy type of Macro / societal factors
Demography type of Macro / societal factors
Institutions type of Macro / societal factors
Culture type of Macro / societal factors
Leisure time type of Needs
Health type of Needs
Social relations type of Needs
Pleasure / arousal type of Needs
Safety type of Needs
Development / education type of Needs
Status type of Needs
Nature / environment type of Needs
Freedom / control type of Needs
Beauty type of Needs
Privacy type of Needs
Work / labour type of Needs
Money type of Needs
Comfort type of Needs
Social justice type of Needs
Social type of Opportunities
Technical type of Opportunities
Physical type of Opportunities
Cognitive type of Abilities
Temporal type of Abilities
Spatial type of Abilities
Physical type of Abilities
Financial type of Abilities

Theory constructs and annotations

Behaviour Behavioural outcome that relates to the purchasing of products [ BCIO:050829 (Purchasing behaviour) 41 ]
Consequences Outcomes that result from engaging in the behaviours; both in terms of one's quality of life and the environmental quality [ BCIO:050806 (Behavioural consequence) 41 31 13 51 4 43 55 ]
Intention A conscious decision to engage in the behaviour that occurs when the necessary levels of motivation and behavioural control are present [ BCIO:006016 (Behavioural intention) 41 24 46 29 35 28 ]
Motivation to perform The impetus that gives purpose or direction to behaviour and operates at a conscious or unconscious level; arises from needs and opportunities [ BCIO:006133 (Behavioural motivation) 41 8 31 56 30 70 74 12 54 60 67 ]
Behavioural control The extent to which one has control over one's behaviour [ BCIO:006152 (Belief about control over behaviour) 41 80 58 79 81 ]
Macro / societal factors [ ENVO:01000254 (Environmental system) 41 33 29 39 ]
Abilities The internal capacities needed to engage in the behaviour; can refer to either people or households [ BCIO:050215 (Behavioural capability) 41 66 40 63 23 65 72 8 ]
Needs Objectives that people strive to achieve in order to improve or maintain their wellbeing or quality of life. [ BCIO:006064 (Psychological need) 41 26 46 ]
Opportunities External conditions that facilitate the behaviour (e.g. the objective availability and accessibility of goods or services, or accessibility to the financial means needed for purchasing goods) [ BCIO:006086 (Behavioural opportunity) 41 40 ]
Opportunity search
Technology The effect of technological developments on behaviour [ BCIO:050789 (technology availability) 41 ]
Economy The effect of economic developments on behaviour [ BCIO:050635 (economic environmental system) 41 ]
Demography The effect of demographic shifts on behaviour
Institutions The effect of institutions on behaviour [ BCIO:006001 (social environmental system) 41 62 13 68 10 14 69 72 33 60 28 80 64 4 65 77 3 57 ]
Culture The effect of culture on behaviour [ BCIO:006001 (Social environmental system) 41 33 19 24 39 ]
Leisure time The extent to which one has sufficient time for leisure [ BCIO:050693 (Leisure time) 41 ]
Health Good health and adequate, accessible healthcare [ BCIO:006088 (Healthcare access) 41 , BCIO:015485 (health status attribute) 41 31 ]
Social relations The extent to which one has good relationships with family, friends and peers and the opportunity to improve these relationships [ BCIO:050751 (Quality of social relationships) 41 ]
Pleasure / arousal The extent to which everyday life provides experiences that are enjoyable and exciting [ BCIO:050643 (Environmental opportunity for pleasure) 41 67 ]
Safety Personal safety and protection from crime and accidents both at home and outside [ BCIO:050913 (safety) 41 ]
Development / education The opportunity to receive a good education and to develop general knowledge [ BCIO:006086 (Behavioural opportunity) 41 40 ]
Status The extent to which one receives the appreciation of others due to personal skills, achievements or possessions [ BCIO:050567 (Appreciation by others) 41 ]
Nature / environment The extent to which the environment provides clean air, water and soil, and healthy animals and plants
Freedom / control The extent to which the course of one's life can be controlled, and individual decisions can be made (e.g. about what one wants to do) [ BCIO:050622 (Control over one’s life) 41 ]
Beauty The ability to experience and enjoy beautiful things inside and around the home [ BCIO:050563 (Aesthetic appreciation disposition) 41 ]
Privacy The extent to which one can be oneself, do things for oneself and have one’s own place [ BCIO:050742 (Privacy) 41 ]
Work / labour [ BCIO:006064 (Psychological need) 41 26 46 ]
Money Financial means to buy and do things that are necessary and enjoyable [ BCIO:006087 (Financial behavioural opportunity) 41 , BCIO:006064 (Psychological need) 41 26 46 33 39 ]
Comfort The extent to which everyday life is easy and comfortable [ BCIO:050642 (Environmental opportunity for comfort) 41 ]
Social justice The extent to which the environment provides equal opportunities and the right to own and do things [ BCIO:050777 (Social justice) 41 ]
Social [ BCIO:006086 (Behavioural opportunity) 41 40 ]
Technical [ BCIO:006086 (Behavioural opportunity) 41 40 ]
Physical [ BCIO:050215 (Behavioural capability) 41 , BCIO:006086 (Behavioural opportunity) 41 73 25 66 40 1 32 11 63 4 23 60 67 65 59 8 74 72 5 77 56 9 12 79 ]
Cognitive The cognitive capability to engage in the behaviour [ BCIO:050325 (Psychological behavioural capability) 41 ]
Temporal The availability of time in which to engage in behaviour [ BCIO:006091 (Temporal behavioural opportunity) 41 9 66 ]
Spatial The availability of space in which to store goods and the distance between the home and shops and services [ BCIO:050733 (physical access to a facility) 41 ]
Financial The financial elements required for engaging in behaviour (e.g. income, credit, loans) [ BCIO:006087 (Financial behavioural opportunity) 41 33 39 ]

Theory illustration

Theory Reference

Gatersleben, B & Vlek, C. (1998). Household Consumption, Quality of Life, and Environmental Impacts: A Psychological Perspective and Empirical Study. In K.J. Noorman & T.S. Uiterkamp. (Eds.). Green Households?: Domestic Consumers, Environment and Sustainability (pp. 141-183). London, UK: Earthscan Publications.

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