Theory Database - Theory 6: Change Theory

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.

Number of Constructs: 7
Number of Triples: 13

Quasi-stationary equilibrium transitions to Unfreezing
Unfreezing transitions to Moving
Moving transitions to Freezing
Freezing transitions to Quasi-stationary equilibrium
Driving forces influences (*) the 'Quasi-stationary equilibrium' to 'Unfreezing' Transitions to relationship
Driving forces influences (*) the 'Unfreezing' to 'Moving ' Transitions to relationship
Driving forces influences (*) the 'Moving ' to 'Freezing' Transitions to relationship
Restraining forces influences (*) the 'Quasi-stationary equilibrium' to 'Unfreezing' Transitions to relationship
Restraining forces influences (*) the 'Unfreezing' to 'Moving ' Transitions to relationship
Restraining forces influences (*) the 'Moving ' to 'Freezing' Transitions to relationship
Group decision influences (*) the 'Quasi-stationary equilibrium' to 'Unfreezing' Transitions to relationship
Group decision influences (*) the 'Unfreezing' to 'Moving ' Transitions to relationship
Group decision influences (*) the 'Moving ' to 'Freezing' Transitions to relationship

Quasi-stationary equilibrium The conditions in which no change occurs, when forces that promote change in the desired and undesired directions are in balance
Unfreezing Overcoming inner resistance to change such that one is ready to change, 'breaking the habit' [ BCIO:050716 (motivational disposition to change behaviour) 6 25 45 ]
Moving The movement of performance or behaviour from one 'level' to another [ BCIO:050209 (Individual human behaviour change) 6 32 45 66 72 ]
Freezing The state when change becomes permanent; where a new and stable equilibrium is reached [ BCIO:050709 (motivational disposition for behavioural maintenance) 6 ]
Driving forces Forces that promote change in the desired direction [ BCIO:050581 (Behavioural enabler) 6 ]
Restraining forces Forces that prevent change in the desired direction [ BCIO:050577 (Behavioural barrier) 6 29 45 39 35 4 ]
Group decision [ BCIO:006047 (decision) 6 52 57 80 ]

Lewin, K. (1958). Group Decision and Social Change. In E.E. Maccoby, T.M. Newcomb & E.L. Hartley (Eds.) Readings in social psychology (pp.197-211). Hartley, Holt, Rinehart and Winston.