Theories of Change

The curriculum draws on different psychological theories and practices from the field of psychology to explain how behavior change happens and how it can be encouraged through different intervention techniques. While a full exploration of this topic is beyond the scope of this curriculum, a few notes and resources are provided here as foundation for the discussions throughout the curriculum. 

As you consider how to develop an intervention that promotes sustainability, or teach about this process, you will need to consider a context-specific theory of change, which outlines how you believe change will happen and which factors will support it. Theories of change are used to inform your intervention design by describing how your intervention will achieve its goals and justifying the rationale for why this will happen. Each theory of change is unique to the specific intervention and is informed by the objectives, values, and perspectives of the stakeholders involved in the project. 

When considering your own theory of change, you might find the following collection of resources interesting to explore further to help understand the science behind change, how it can be supported through interventions, and the ways that it can contribute to sustainability.

Sustainability-related Resources

• SHIFT Framework: An approach that highlights the factors that can lead to sustainable consumer behavior change (Social influence, Habit formation, Individual self, Feelings and cognition, Tangibility)

• Community-Based Social Marketing: A systematic strategy to promoting sustainable, healthy, and safe behaviors

• Psychology for a Better World: A video describing the role that psychology can play in promoting behavior change for a sustainable future (see also the accompanying book)

• Theories of Change in Sustainability: An article that describes the many different ways that theories of change can support the development and application of solutions to complex sustainability problems

General resources

• • The Behavior Change Wheel: A guide to selecting behavior change techniques when designing interventions

  • The COM-B Model for Behavior Change: A framework that suggests capability, opportunity, and motivation are the key factors to changing behavior

  • Switch: A book that considers how the process of change occurs