Behavioral Science Theory Research Articles

A Review of Empirical Studies on User Acceptance of Driver Assistance Systems

Objective - This paper presents a review of empirical research on technology acceptance with regards to driver assistance systems referred from 17 published studies. In addition to evaluating various behavioural science theories and models such as Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), other proposed variables that influence acceptance and usage of such technologies, potential limitations and gaps have also been analysed and evaluated. Methodology/Technique - Multiple electronic databases have been thoroughly searched for relevant empirical studies based on specified criteria and defined keywords. Findings - The results indicate that TAM indeed is a very useful model and mostly used; however, to better understand the user acceptance toward driver assistance systems, additional factors need to be included in order to complement the existing constructs in TAM. Novelty - it is essential to understand the concept of technology acceptance as it can assist in setting up priorities during the initial stages of product development and policy making Type of Paper - Conceptual Keywords: acceptance; driver assistance systems; car technology acceptance model; CTAM; technology acceptance model; TAM.

Feminist Theory and Research on Family Relationships: Pluralism and Complexity

Feminist perspectives on family relationships begin with the critique of the idealized template of the White, middle class, heterosexually married couple and their dependent children. Feminist scholars take family diversity and complexity as their starting point, by emphasizing how power infuses all of family relationships, from the local to the global scale. As the main location for caring and productive labor, families are the primary unit for providing gendered socialization and distributing power across the generations. In this issue and two subsequent issues of Sex Roles, we have collected theoretical and empirical articles that include critical analyses, case studies, quantitative studies, and qualitative studies that focus on a wide array of substantive topics in the examination of families. These topics include variations in marital and intimate partnerships and dissolution; motherhood and fatherhood in relation to ideology and practice; intergenerational parent–child relationships and socialization practices; and paid and unpaid labor. All of the articles across the three issues are guided by a type of feminist theory (e.g., gender theory; intersectional theory; Black feminist theory; globalization theory; queer theory) and many incorporate multiple theoretical perspectives, including mainstream social and behavioral science theories. Another feature of the collection is the authors’ insistence on conducting research that makes a difference in the lives of the individuals and families they study, thereby generating a wealth of practical strategies for relevant future research and empowering social change. In this introduction, we specifically address the first six articles in the special collection on feminist perspectives on family relationships.

Designing behaviourally informed policies for land stewardship: A new paradigm

This paper argues the case for a new approach to the stewardship of land resources that uses behavioural science theory to support the design and application of policies that facilitate changes in behaviour by those who develop policy and the farmers who implement it. Current approaches have: focused on legally-based expert system; and have been devised by national and international bureaucracies with little or no knowledge of how land owners and managers are motivated, and how they think, behave and operate as stewards of their natural resources. A review of current approaches from the social scientific literature is provided, with a particular focus on principles from social psychology. This is followed by an examination of how these principles can be applied to influence behaviour related to land restoration and soil conservation. Examples of the problems with traditional approaches and the evolution of new approaches with full engagement of farmers as the delivery agents are provided from within the European Union, Iceland and Scotland. In the light of these examples and emerging thinking in other parts of the world, the paper sets out the basis for a new approach based on behavioural science theory and application, reinforcing the arguments already made in the literature for a social license for farming.

Effectiveness of behavioural weight loss interventions delivered in a primary care setting: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background.Overweight and obesity have negative health effects. Primary care clinicians are best placed to intervene in weight management. Previous reviews of weight loss interventions have included studies from specialist settings. The aim of this review was to estimate the effect of behavioural interventions delivered in primary care on body weight in overweight and obese adults.Methods.The review included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of behavioural interventions in obese or overweight adult participants in a primary care setting, with weight loss as the primary outcome, and a minimum of 12 months of follow-up. A systematic search strategy was implemented in Medline, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and behavioural science components of interventions were evaluated. Data relating to weight loss in kilograms were extracted, and the results combined using meta-analysis.Results.Fifteen RCTs, with 4539 participants randomized, were selected for inclusion. The studies were heterogeneous with respect to inclusion criteria and type of intervention. Few studies reported interventions informed by behavioural science theory. Pooled results from meta-analysis indicated a mean weight loss of −1.36kg (−2.10 to −0.63, P < 0.0001) at 12 months, and −1.23kg (−2.28 to −0.18, P = 0.002) at 24 months.Conclusion.Behavioural weight loss interventions in primary care yield very small reductions in body weight, which are unlikely to be clinically significant. More effective management strategies are needed for the treatment of overweight and obesity.

Successful education for AEC professionals: case study of applying immersive game-like virtual reality interfaces

Abstract Background Global competition and the transdisciplinary nature of evolving Architecture-Engineering-Construction (AEC) activities makes it progressively important to educate new AEC professionals with appropriate skill sets. These skills include the ability and capability of not only developing routine projects, but also delivering novel design solutions and construction processes (some of which may be unknown), to feasible, surprising, or potentially patentable solutions. For example, despite recent innovations in immersive visualisation technologies and tele-presence decision-support toolkits, the AEC sector as a whole has not yet fully understood these technologies, nor embraced them as an enabler. Methods Given this, this paper proposes a new approach for delivering education and training to address this shortcoming. This approach focuses on doing traditional (routine) work with creative thinking in order to address these challenges. This rationale is based on the principles of Successful Education as a new paradigm for engineering education, which is inspired by the Theory of Successful Intelligence, by the Medici Effect and Leonardo da Vinci’s Seven Principles. The paper presents the educating AEC professionals is presented the AEC sector. The Theory of Successful Intelligence and its three forms of intelligence (Practical, Analytical, and Creative), are supported by lessons learned from the Renaissance, including the Medici Effect and da Vinci’s Seven Principles. Results Based on these theoretical pillars, a new approach to educating AEC professionals is presented with a proof-of-concept prototype that uses a game-like virtual reality (VR) visualisation interface supported by Mind Mapping is introduced as an exemplar. Conclusion The developed interface in this study applies Game Theory to non-collocated design teams in accordance with Social Sciences Theory (social rules) and Behavioural Science Theory (decision making). It contributes by supporting new insights into AEC actor involvement, pedagogy, organisational behaviour, and the social constructs that support decision making.

Organizational Transformation and Workplace Diversity in South Africa

This paper attempts to look at organizational transformation and workplace diversity in South Africa. The subject matter is cardinal to a South African business dynamic and particularly in a period of transition in democratic South Africa. Planned change can be of two general types: Organization Development (OD) and Organization Transformation (OT). The latter, which is the focus of this paper, is described as the cutting edge of planned change and is called “secondgeneration OD” (French, Bell & Zawacki, 2005). It is a relatively new field and literature is limited in this area. Hence, it is ill-defined and very experimental, itself rapidly changing. The paper does not pretend to capture all the issues that encompass this important and challenging field of study, but attempts to show that organizational transformation and workplace diversity are important issues and variables in workplace diversity in a rapidly changing South Africa. OT focuses on effecting more profound change in organizations, targeting a ‘deeper’ level in the organization that is not traditionally targeted by change interventions in OD. French et al. (2005 82 state that OT is: A set of behavioural science theories, values, strategies, and techniques, aimed at the planned change of organizational vision and work settings, with the intention of generating cognition change in individual organizational members, leading to behavioral change and thus promoting paradigmatic change that helps the organization better fit or create desirable future environments. OT involves revolutionary frame-breaking interventions aiming to change the way members perceive, think and behave at work. OT aims to fundamentally change the assumptions of the organization’s functioning and its relationship to its environment. This means radical shifts in corporate philosophy and values and structures and arrangements that influence member behavior. As a result, the qualitative nature of the organization is altered. Some features of OT are as follows (Cummings and Worley, 2005). First, change happens when organizations experience a severe threat to their present existence. This occurs when environmental or internal disruptions such as industry discontinuities, product life cycle shifts and internal company dynamics make the organization’s existing strategies obsolete. Second, OT is systemic and revolutionary because it entails changing the underlying nature of organizations as well as the behavior of the majority of

Behavioral science integration: A practical framework of multi-level converging evidence for behavioral science theories

Several frameworks exist to help science in organizing known information, connecting previously disparate phenomena, promoting understanding, and identifying gaps in knowledge. This paper integrates previous frameworks that have been used in the behavioral sciences to produce a more comprehensive, specific, and complete framework, consonant with the process of scientific discovery as based on multiple, independent, and converging lines of evidence. This multi-level convergence framework is designed specifically for the analysis and understanding of human cognitive/behavioral traits, in contrast to more general frameworks that are designed to be applied relatively widely (such as across all information processing systems or across all biological organisms). This integrated framework overcomes gaps in prior frameworks, provides a more complete picture of the interrelationships between various aspects of the behavioral sciences, and can aid in evaluating theories, both for comparison and identifying gaps in evidentiary support.

Correlates of 15-year maintenance of physical activity in middle-aged women.

Interventions to increase sustained physical activity are needed and should be based on proven theories. To gain a better understanding of the correlates of sustained physical activity in midlife women, we used longitudinal epidemiologic data to investigate links between sustained physical activity and constructs advocated by three basic behavioral and social science theories: (1) self-determination, (2) social cognitive, and (3) social networks. A random sample of 90 midlife women, stratified by level of physical activity over 15 years, was selected from the Chicago cohort of the Longitudinal Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN). Using data on self-reported physical activity collected over 15 years, women were categorized into consistently active, sporadically active, and sedentary. New data were collected on theory-relevant constructs, i.e., autonomous motivation (assessed by the Treatment Self-Regulation Questionnaire) and self-efficacy (assessed by the Self-Efficacy and Exercise Habits Survey). Every SWAN woman identified a close female friend who also completed the physical activity questionnaire. SWAN women with higher autonomous motivation (p = 0.002) and higher self-efficacy (p < 0.001) were more likely to be consistently physically active in analyses adjusted for age, race, and socioeconomic status. Sixty-one percent of SWAN women with a history of consistent physical activity had a friend who is currently highly active, versus 38 and 23 % for sporadically active and sedentary women, respectively (test for trend p = 0.008). In midlife women, constructs advocated by basic behavioral and social science theories were consistent with long-term patterns of physical activity behavior. Special focus should be given to these basic theories in the design of interventions to promote sustained physical activity in mid-life women.

Harnessing Different Motivational Frames via Mobile Phones to Promote Daily Physical Activity and Reduce Sedentary Behavior in Aging Adults

Mobile devices are a promising channel for delivering just-in-time guidance and support for improving key daily health behaviors. Despite an explosion of mobile phone applications aimed at physical activity and other health behaviors, few have been based on theoretically derived constructs and empirical evidence. Eighty adults ages 45 years and older who were insufficiently physically active, engaged in prolonged daily sitting, and were new to smartphone technology, participated in iterative design development and feasibility testing of three daily activity smartphone applications based on motivational frames drawn from behavioral science theory and evidence. An “analytically” framed custom application focused on personalized goal setting, self-monitoring, and active problem solving around barriers to behavior change. A “socially” framed custom application focused on social comparisons, norms, and support. An “affectively” framed custom application focused on operant conditioning principles of reinforcement scheduling and emotional transference to an avatar, whose movements and behaviors reflected the physical activity and sedentary levels of the user. To explore the applications' initial efficacy in changing regular physical activity and leisure-time sitting, behavioral changes were assessed across eight weeks in 68 participants using the CHAMPS physical activity questionnaire and the Australian sedentary behavior questionnaire. User acceptability of and satisfaction with the applications was explored via a post-intervention user survey. The results indicated that the three applications were sufficiently robust to significantly improve regular moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity and decrease leisure-time sitting during the 8-week behavioral adoption period. Acceptability of the applications was confirmed in the post-intervention surveys for this sample of midlife and older adults new to smartphone technology. Preliminary data exploring sustained use of the applications across a longer time period yielded promising results. The results support further systematic investigation of the efficacy of the applications for changing these key health-promoting behaviors.

Advancing Equity in Clinical Preventive Services: The Role of Health Communication

In 2002, the Institute of Medicine released its landmark report “Unequal Treatment: Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care.” This report led to increased efforts in identifying, assessing, and documenting racial and ethnic disparities in health care, as well as developing, testing, and implementing interventions in an attempt to reduce health disparities throughout the United States. This article reviews the rise of health disparities research in the United States and reports on selected studies and interventions developed by researchers at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. These interventions have used communication and behavioral science theories and frameworks in their development and dissemination, particularly in the realm of clinical preventive medicine.

Legislator Voting and Behavioral Science Theory: A Systematic Review

To examine the application of behavioral science theories to explain the voting behavior of legislators for public health policies. We conducted a systematic review to identify studies that examined factors associated with legislator support, intention to vote, or actual votes on public health policies, emphasizing those grounded in behavior science theory. Twenty-one papers met our inclusion criteria, and 6 were explicitly grounded in a behavioral science theory. Behavioral science theories, and the theory of planned behavior in particular, provide a framework for understanding legislator voting behavior and can be used by advocates to advance pro-health policies.

NEW APPROACHES AND AUDIENCES FOR BEHAVIOUR CHANGE TO REDUCE CHILD INJURY RISK

BackgroundEffective child injury prevention involves taking an ecological approach, intervening at multiple levels of influence. Efforts to change the behaviour of individual children and/or caregivers can be strengthened by addressing...

The influence of different dimensions of social comparison on performance measure choice and team composition

Empirical research in the economic literature is increasingly addressing the implications of social comparison on incentive contracts by using analytical principal-agent models. Contrary to the existing investigations, which are primarily based on the assumption that individuals exclusively compare monetary income, theories of behavioral science suggest that monetary income and effort represent different dimensions of social comparison, which are weighted individually. Using a LEN framework, the present study focuses on this aspect of social comparisons and discusses how these dimensions and their individual weights affect optimal contract design and contract efficiency. I consider status-seeking agents who compare themselves to each other and differ with regard to their intensity of social preferences and the specific relevance of dimensions. Finally, I draw conclusions for the drafting of contracts with respect to (1) the choice of performance measures and (2) an optimal team composition.

Using findings in multimedia learning to inform technology-based behavioral health interventions

Clinicians and researchers are increasingly using technology-based behavioral health interventions to improve intervention effectiveness and to reach underserved populations. However, these interventions are rarely informed by evidence-based findings of how technology can be optimized to promote acquisition of key skills and information. At the same time, experts in multimedia learning generally do not apply their findings to health education or conduct research in clinical contexts. This paper presents an overview of some key aspects of multimedia learning research that may allow those developing health interventions to apply informational technology with the same rigor as behavioral science content. We synthesized empirical multimedia learning literature from 1992 to 2011. We identified key findings and suggested a framework for integrating technology with educational and behavioral science theory. A scientific, evidence-driven approach to developing technology-based interventions can yield greater effectiveness, improved fidelity, increased outcomes, and better client service.

Use of Theory in Low-Literacy Intervention Research From 1980 to 2009

To examine whether theories and/or models are used in interventions geared towards improving health-related outcomes for individuals with limited literacy skills. Intervention studies (n=52) published between 1980 and 2009 that met inclusion criteria were reviewed to assess the topic addressed, type of theory and/or model used, and the extent of theory use. Twenty-one (40.4%) interventions were based on a theory or model. Most of those 21 interventions were either "informed by" (n=15, 71.4%) or "applied" (n=4, 19.1%) theory whereas 2 (9.5%) "tested" theory. Most low-literacy intervention research is not based on any educational, behavioral, or social science theory or model.

DIFFERENTIAL SUSCEPTIBILITY TO CONTEXT: A PROMISING MODEL OF THE INTERPLAY OF GENES AND THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT.

The goal of this chapter is to demonstrate the importance of incorporating gene by environment (GxE) interactions into behavioral science theory and research. In pursuit of this aim, the chapter is organized in the following way. First, we provide a brief critique of the behavioral genetics paradigm, noting why one should be skeptical of its suggestion that genes exert large main effects, and only main effects, on social behavior. Second, we describe how the recent mapping of the human genome has facilitated molecular genetic research and the emergence of the new epigenetic paradigm that has begun to supplement and replace the simpler model of genetic determinism. Third, we turn our focus to the explosion of GxE research that has occurred in the wake of this paradigmatic shift. These studies find that genetic variation often interacts with environmental context to influence the probability of various behaviors. Importantly, in many, and perhaps most, of these studies the genetic variable, unlike the environmental variable, has little if any main effect on the outcome of interest. Rather, the influence of the genetic variable is limited to its moderation of the effect of the environmental construct. Such research does not undermine the importance of environmental factors; rather it shows how social scientific explanations of human behavior might be made more precise by incorporating genetic information. Finally, we consider various models of gene - environment interplay, paying particular attention to the differential susceptibility to context perspective. This model of GxE posits that a substantial proportion of the population is genetically predisposed to be more susceptible than others to environment influence. We argue that this model of GxE is particularly relevant to sociologists and psychologists.

Motivation Mechanism of Accident Prevention in Coal Mine

On the basis of the analysis of accident situation and causes in mining industries, a study on unsafe behaviors was made, which showed that stimulating safe behaviors and restraining unsafe behaviors would not only greatly improve human reliability, but also reduce unexpected circumstance and accident frequency in the work. Based on behavior science and motivation theory, the thinking thread and framework for constructing coalmine safe behavior motivation system was presented according to the coalmine accident prevention mechanism and the relationship between motivation and safe behaviors. This study is helpful to the reduction of coalmine accidents or injuries and the improvement of safety performance in mining industries.

Helping hands: A cluster randomised trial to evaluate the effectiveness of two different strategies for promoting hand hygiene in hospital nurses

BackgroundHand hygiene prescriptions are the most important measure in the prevention of hospital-acquired infections. Yet, compliance rates are generally below 50% of all opportunities for hand hygiene. This study aims at evaluating the short- and long-term effects of two different strategies for promoting hand hygiene in hospital nurses.Methods/designThis study is a cluster randomised controlled trial with inpatient wards as the unit of randomisation. Guidelines for hand hygiene will be implemented in this study. Two strategies will be used to improve the adherence to guidelines for hand hygiene. The state-of-the-art strategy is derived from the literature and includes education, reminders, feedback, and targeting adequate products and facilities. The extended strategy also contains activities aimed at influencing social influence in groups and enhancing leadership. The unique contribution of the extended strategy is built upon relevant behavioural science theories. The extended strategy includes all elements of the state-of-the-art strategy supplemented with gaining active commitment and initiative of ward management, modelling by informal leaders at the ward, and setting norms and targets within the team. Data will be collected at four points in time, with six-month intervals. An average of 3,000 opportunities for hand hygiene in approximately 900 nurses will be observed at each time point.DiscussionPerforming and evaluating an implementation strategy that also targets the social context of teams may considerably add to the general body of knowledge in this field. Results from our study will allow us to draw conclusions on the effects of different strategies for the implementation of hand hygiene guidelines, and based on these results we will be able to define a preferred implementation strategy for hospital based nursing.Trial registrationThe study is registered as a Clinical Trial in ClinicalTrials.gov, dossier number: NCT00548015.

Stages of Change in Physical Exercise and Social Support: An Integrated Socio‐Psycho‐Economic Approach

The present research attempts to integrate behavioral and social science theories (e.g., theory of reasoned action, social cognitive theory, transtheoretical model) in assessing the effect and sources of social support of persons in various stages of physical exercise. Using multinomial regression to analyze the data collected via interviews from a sample of over 1,500 working adults in Jamaica, strong statistical support was found for the role of social support in initiating and maintaining exercise. The importance of various providers depends on the individual's stage of behavioral change. Health workers, relatives, and friends are important during early stages; while friends and physical trainers are important during later stages. Other results, limitations, and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Social Ecology and Worksite Training and Development: Introducing the Social in Instructional System Design

Human resource development (HRD) is recognized as an interdisciplinary field covering the breadth of behavioral and social sciences. However, since its inception, instructional systems design (ISD), a methodology widely used in the HRD field, has been based on a narrow range of behavioral science. Grounded in general system’s theory, the ISD framework has primarily been presented as asocial in orientation and application, drawing primarily on individual theories of learning. This manuscript considers the emergence and history of current ISD technologies, and presents a social ecological framework to facilitate the integration of behavioral and social science theory into the ISD process. Research and training initiatives using the social ecological framework are discussed as are implication for HRD research and practice.