Social Cognitive Theory Model Research Articles

Do Unprecedented Gasoline Prices Affect the Consumer Switching to New Energy Vehicles? An Integrated Social Cognitive Theory Model

From 2020 to 2022, the price of gasoline in China rose sharply, which may cause consumers to adopt new energy vehicles. However, the government subsidies in the yearly retreat for 2023 were completely abolished, which could hinder consumers’ switching behavior. The combination of these factors may affect consumer decision-making, making accurate analysis of consumer willingness to switch to new energy vehicles crucial for the development of this industry. The current study aims to investigate consumers’ vehicle switching intentions affected by multiple factors such as fuel prices, and we attempt to analyze these by combining personal and environmental factors from social cognitive theory. Data were collected through an online platform survey using developed reliable scales. The 464 responses were then synthesized using structural equation modeling and Bayesian networks, and the results showed that approximately 51% of consumers had high-level switching intentions to new energy vehicles; attitude, self-efficacy, environmental consciousness, and infrastructure barriers had the strongest effect on consumers’ vehicle switching intentions. This study assists in identifying the psychological demands of consumers switching to new energy vehicles and provides ideas for vehicle manufacturers and governments in terms of marketing strategies and policy formulation at crucial stages when new energy vehicles are in accelerated development.

What influences public support for plastic waste control policies and green consumption? Evidence from a multilevel analysis of survey data from 27 European countries

Abstract Purpose This study investigates the influence of individual- and country-level factors on citizen members’ attitude and actions regarding plastic waste. At the individual level, it assesses the influence of the diversity of environmental news use from traditional media, online social networks, and other internet sources on the public’s support for policy and green behaviors related to plastic waste. Design/methodology/approach We utilized secondary survey data collected from 27 European countries by Eurobarometer. Results The two-level analysis show that several individual factors including gender, age, political ideology, risk perception, and most importantly diversity of sources in environmental news use, from all three types of media sources, was positively associated with participants’ policy support and green behaviors related to plastic waste. This research also found the influence of several country-level variables on green behaviors toward plastic waste. Implications When assessing support for plastic waste control, various factors at both levels (i.e., country and individual) need to be considered to mobilize the public. Findings suggest extending the theoretical model of social cognitive theory to include more country-level factors especially in cross-national comparison. Originality/value This study shed lights on understanding factors that could influence public policy support and green behaviors with regards to plastic waste.

Social-related factors in integrated UTAUT model for ZakaTech acceptance during the COVID-19 crisis

PurposeDespite the significant growth in Islamic economies and the increasing number of Muslim youths inclining digital services, empirical-based research addressing the adoption of digital Islamic services is still scarce. Particularly, as a new term in the Islamic finance industry, ZakaTech has recently emerged as a modern term describing novel technologies adopted by zakat (compulsory levy on all believing and practicing high-net-worth Muslims) institutions; yet, it has largely been neglected in the literature. Therefore, this paper aims to propose an integrated model that scrutinizes the factors of unified model of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) of ZakaTech, combined with social cognitive theory (SCT), especially in a time of COVID-19 social distancing.Design/methodology/approachThe UTAUT–SCT model was validated via SmartPLS structural equation modeling by using a valid sample of 510 users (individual zakat payers) from Saudi Arabia.FindingsThe results demonstrated the suitability of the integrated UTAUT–SCT model in predicting zakat payers’ intention to use ZakaTech services. This proposed model has 70% explanatory power to explain variance in intention. All UTAUT constructs are statistically significant, except for effort expectancy. Social isolation caused by the pandemic and trust in e-zakat system exerted a significant influence on the inclination to uptake ZakaTech services.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is among the first research that studies Muslims’ adoption of ZakaTech during COVID-19. Particularly, this study could add value to FinTech acceptance literature by empirically examining an integrated framework of UTAUT–SCT in a context as modern and unique as ZakaTech.

Extended Social Cognitive Model Explains Pre-Service Teachers’ Technology Integration Intentions with Cross-Cultural Validity

Despite decades of efforts to address all levels of barriers, promoting technology integration in schools continues to be challenging and one of the most active research areas in teacher education worldwide. There is a need to better understand the factors influencing teachers’ intentions to integrate technology. Current models may lack parsimony and are limited in practical implications. Therefore, the primary purpose of the current study was to develop a new model by extending social cognitive theory. to explain pre-service teachers’ technology integration intentions and to test its cross-cultural validity with Turkish and Spanish pre-service teachers. The participants were 135 (76 Turkish and 59 Spanish) pre-service teachers in the early childhood education department. Path analysis results supported the utility of the model and revealed that openness, facilitating conditions, self-efficacy, and outcome expectations are interrelated, and each plays a unique and complex role in explaining technology integration intentions. More importantly, multi-group invariance analysis test results revealed that the proposed model explained pre-service teachers’ technology integration intentions in Turkish and Spanish samples with the exception of only one path, from openness to outcome expectations. The current extended social cognitive theory model is concise, includes pertinent constructs from other theoretical frameworks and models, and offers practical implications for teacher educators.

Innovative work behavior in high-tech enterprises: Chain intermediary effect of psychological safety and knowledge sharing.

This study aims to explore the relationship between organizational innovation climate (OIC) and innovative work behavior (IWB), using psychological safety (PS) and knowledge sharing (KS) as mediating variables. Based on the social cognitive theory (SCT), this study proposes a conceptual framework to explore innovative work behavior. The structural model of the extended SCT model was tested using sample data from 446 R&D staff of high-tech enterprises in China. SPSS 25.0 and AMOS 23.0 were used to test the hypothetical model. The results indicated that organizational innovation climate was positively correlated with psychological safety and innovative work behavior. Psychological safety was positively correlated with innovative work behavior. Knowledge sharing was significantly and positively correlated with innovative work behavior. Moreover, Psychological safety and knowledge sharing play a significant mediating role in the relationship between organizational innovation climate and innovative work behavior, and psychological safety further improves individual innovative work behavior by influencing knowledge sharing among research team members. At the end of the study, this study thoroughly discussed the conclusions, practical implications, limitations, and future research directions of the study.

How Safety Climate Impacts Safety Voice-Investigating the Mediating Role of Psychological Safety from a Social Cognitive Perspective.

Safety voice has become a popular research topic in the organizational safety field because it helps to prevent accidents. A good safety climate and psychological safety can motivate employees to actively express their ideas about safety, but the specific mechanisms of safety climate and psychological safety, on safety voice, are not yet clear. Based on the “environment-subject cognition-behavior” triadic interaction model of social cognitive theory, this paper explores the relationship between safety climate and safety voice, and the mediating role of psychological safety. We collected questionnaires and conducted data analysis of the valid questionnaires using analytical methods such as hierarchical regression, stepwise regression, and the bootstrap sampling method. We found that safety climate significantly and positively influenced safety voice, and psychological safety played a mediating role between safety climate and safety voice, which strengthened the positive relationship between them. From the research results, it was clear that to stimulate employees to express safety voice behavior, organizations should strive to create a good safety climate and pay attention to building employees’ psychological safety. The findings of this paper provide useful insights for the management of employee safety voice behavior in enterprises.

Nexus between constructs of social cognitive theory model and diabetes self-management among Ghanaian diabetic patients: A mediation modelling approach.

The promotion of Diabetes Self-Management (DSM) practices, education, and support is vital to improving the care and wellbeing of diabetic patients. Identifying factors that affect DSM behaviours may be useful to promote healthy living among these patients. The study assessed the determinants of DSM practices among Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients using a model-based social cognitive theory (SCT). This cross-sectional study comprised 420 (T2DM) patients who visited the Diabetic Clinic of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Kumasi-Ghana. Data was collected using self-structured questionnaires to obtain socio-demographic characteristics, T2DM-related knowledge, DSM practices, SCT constructs; beliefs in treatment effectiveness, level of self-efficacy, perceived family support, and healthcare provider-patient communication. Path analysis was used to determine direct and indirect effects of T2DM-related knowledge, perceived family support, and healthcare provider service on DSM practices with level of self-efficacy mediating the relationships, and beliefs in treatment effectiveness as moderators. The mean age of the participants was 53.1(SD = 11.4) years and the average disease duration of T2DM was 10 years. Most of the participants (65.5%) had high (>6.1mmol/L) fasting blood glucose (FBG) with an average of 6.93(SD = 2.41). The path analysis model revealed that age (p = 0.176), gender (p = 0.901), and duration of T2DM (p = 0.119) did not confound the relationships between the SCT constructs and DSM specified in the model. A significant direct positive effect of family and friends' support (Critical ratio (CR) = 5.279, p < 0.001) on DSM was observed. Self-efficacy was a significant mediator in this relationship (CR = 4.833, p < 0.001). There were significant conditional indirect effects (CIE) for knowledge of T2DM and family and friends' support at medium and high levels of belief in treatment effectiveness (p < 0.05) via level of self-efficacy on DSM practices. However, no evidence of moderated-mediation was observed for the exogenous variables on DSM. Diabetes-related knowledge of T2DM, family and friends' support, level of self-efficacy, and belief in treatment effectiveness are crucial in DSM practices among Ghanaian T2DM patients. It is incumbent to consider these factors when designing interventions to improve DSM adherence.

Enhanced Social Cognitive Theory Dynamic Modeling and Simulation Towards Improving the Estimation of "Just-In-Time" States.

Insufficient physical activity (PA) is commonplace in society, in spite of its significant impact on personal health and well-being. Improved interventions are clearly needed. One of the challenges faced in behavioral interventions is a lack of understanding of multi-timescale dynamics. In this paper we rely on a dynamical model of Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) to gain insights regarding a control-oriented experimental design for a behavioral intervention to improve PA. The intervention (Just Walk JITAI) is designed with the aim to better understand and estimate ideal times for intervention and support based on the concept of "just-in-time" states. An innovative input signal design strategy is used to study the just-in-time state dynamics through the use of decision rules based on conditions of need, opportunity and receptivity. Model simulations featuring within-day effects are used to assess input signal effectiveness. Scenarios for adherent and non-adherent participants are presented, with the proposed experimental design showing significant potential for reducing notification burden while providing informative data to support future system identification and control design efforts.

‘Every Human Interaction Requires a Bit of Give and Take’: Medical Students’ Approaches to Pursuing Feedback in the Clinical Setting

Phenomenon Students, alongside teachers, play a key role in feedback. Student behavior in feedback processes may impact feedback outcomes. Student feedback behavior includes recognizing, seeking, evaluating, and utilizing feedback. Student feedback behavior is influenced by numerous student attributes and environmental factors. Approach We aimed to explore influences on medical student feedback behavior during clinical attachments. We adopted a subjective inductive qualitative approach. We conducted 7 focus groups with 46 medical students undertaking pediatric hospital-based attachments. We based our discussion framework on existing characterizations of student feedback behavior and the educational alliance model with its focus on the relationship between learners and teachers, and the active role played by both. During initial data analysis, we identified that our results exhibited aspects of Bandura’s model of Triadic Reciprocal Causation within Social Cognitive Theory. In line with our subjective inductive approach, we adopted Triadic Reciprocal Causation at this point for further analysis and interpretation. This allowed us to conceptualize the emerging interactions between influences on feedback behavior. Findings We identified three key determinants of student feedback behavior: Environmental influences, Student attributes and Relationships between teachers and students. Environmental influences encompassed factors external to the student, including Teacher attributes and behaviors and The clinical learning context. Through the lens of Triadic Reciprocal Causation, the interrelationships between the determinants of feedback behavior gave rise to five key themes: Interactions between student feedback behavior and environmental influences of the clinical learning context, Interactions between student feedback behavior and environmental influences of teacher attributes and behaviors, Interactions between student attributes and student feedback behavior, Interactions between student attributes and environmental influences of teacher attributes and behaviors, and Relationships and the determinants of student feedback behavior. Insights: We apply the Triadic Reciprocal Causation model of Social Cognitive Theory to understand the influences on student feedback behavior and the interactions between them. We extend the model by situating relationships between students and teachers as a central factor. Future interventions to facilitate students’ role in feedback will need to address student attributes, environmental factors, and student-teacher relationships, appreciating the codependent nature of these influences.

The effect of an application-based educational intervention with a social cognitive theory model on pregnant women in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia: a randomized controlled trial.

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to elucidate the effect of application-based antenatal education based on social cognitive theory (SCT) on Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP II) scores, compliance with iron tablet consumption, and readiness for childbirth and complications among pregnant women in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia.Methods This randomized controlled trial included 71 pregnant women in the treatment group and 74 pregnant women in the control group. The treatment group application-based antenatal education based on SCT, while the control group attended a conventional pregnancy class. Iron tablet consumption was verified by counting the remaining iron tablets. Information on participants’ lifestyles was collected using the HPLP II questionnaire with the help of an assistant. The collected data were statistically analyzed using IBM SPSS ver. 24.0.Results The antenatal education intervention effectively increased the HPLP II score by 0.32 points (2.62±0.331 before the intervention and 2.94±0.273 after). Meanwhile, the control group had a 0.13-point increase (p=0.001), from 2.67±0.336 to 2.80±0.275. There was no significant difference in iron tablet consumption (p=0.333) or readiness for delivery and complications (p=0.557) between the treatment and control groups.Conclusion Application-based antenatal education with SCT effectively increased the HPLP II scores of pregnant women in Denpasar, Bali. Although there was no significant difference in iron tablet consumption or readiness for delivery and complications, the values increased to a greater extent in the treatment group than in the control group. This education model is more suited to urban pregnant women who employed and have good internet access.

Applying Social Cognitive Theory in Predicting Physical Activity Among Chinese Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study With Multigroup Structural Equation Model.

This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the applicability of social cognitive determinants among the Chinese adolescents and examine whether the predictability of the social cognitive theory (SCT) model on physical activity (PA) differs across gender (boys and girls) and urbanization (urban and suburban). A total of 3,000 Chinese adolescents ranging between the ages of 12–15 years were randomly selected to complete a set of questionnaires. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was applied to investigate the relationships between social cognitive variables and PA in the urbanization and gender subgroups. The overall model explained 38.9% of the variance in PA. Fit indices indicated that the structural model of SCT was good: root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.047, (root mean square residual) RMR = 0.028, goodness of fit index (GFI) = 0.974, adjusted goodness of fit index (AGFI) = 0.960, Tucker–Lewis coefficient (TLI) = 0.971, and comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.978. Regarding the subgroup analysis, social support (critical ratios [CRs] = 2.118; p < 0.001) had a more substantial impact on the PA of adolescents in suburban areas than that in urban areas, whereas self-regulation (CRs = −2.896, p < 0.001) had a more substantial impact on the PA of adolescents in urban areas than in suburban areas. The results indicate that the SCT model predicts the PA of Chinese adolescents substantially. An SCT model could apply over a range of subgroups to predict the PA behavior and should be considered comprehensively when designing interventions. These findings would benefit PA among the Chinese adolescents, especially across genders and urbanization.

Panic-Buying Behavior During The Covid-19 Pandemic in Indonesia: A Social Cognitive Theoretical Model

Currently, there are limited studies on the application of the social cognitive theory in social psychology, particularly in explaining and predicting panic-buying behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia. This study is primarily aimed at acknowledging the role of the social cognitive theory’s development in explaining and predicting the panic-buying behavior of Indonesian citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic. The development of the theory is attained by combining emotions and subjective norms to predict the panic-buying behavior intention in Indonesia. Using a purposive sampling technique, the sample size consists of 350 respondents from various areas, such as Jakarta, Tangerang, and Banten. An online survey was performed as the data collection method. Social desirabilit response (SDR) test was also conducted by this study to guarantee the naturality of the replies from the respondents. Data were then analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) with a two-stage approach. The result demonstrated that emotions have the highest impact on the panic-buying behavioral intention. Further, subjective norms, self-efficacy, and social outcome expectancies have the second, third, and fourth highest impacts on panic-buying behavior, respectively. In general, the social cognitive theory model developed in this study can understand, explain, and predict panic-buying behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in Indonesia. Overall, the results of this study may serve as basic information for practitioners and business persons by providing insights regarding the factors that form consumers’ intentions and behavior during the pandemic, relating to their buying decisions.

Improving the Perception of Patient-Centered Wellness in a Virtual Population During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Perceived health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is fundamental to well-being and is a meaningful way to measure physical and mental health. No standard method exists for measuring perceived HRQOL during the COVID-19 pandemic in participants as they attempt to improve their self-determined wellness goals. An implementation plan that considers the social distancing limitations imposed can be used to predict an individual's likelihood of long-term success. During the four, 2-week plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycles, the Social Cognitive Theory model informed the implementation of the four core interventions. To guide iterative changes, the data was analyzed through Excel and run charts. The four core interventions were the shared decision-making tool (SDMT), health mobile app tool (HMAT), wellness tracker tool (WTT), and the team engagement plan. Among 28 participants, perceived quality of life increased by 70%, engagement in shared decision-making increased to 82%, app use and confidence increased to 85%, and goal attainment reached 81%. The SDMT, health app, and wellness tracker created a methodical plan of accountability for increasing participant wellness. The contextual barrier of the COVID-19 pandemic added a negative wellness burden which was mitigated by creating a patient-centered culture of wellness.

Exploring Influence Factors of WeChat Users’ Health Information Sharing Behavior: Based on an Integrated Model of TPB, UGT and SCT

ABSTRACT In this digital era, social media plays a significant role in information distribution. Health information sharing behavior is an essential component of information exchange, which has become one of the key research fields in health communication. Yet, knowledge about the influence factors of health information sharing behavior in social media remains limited. Hence, drawing from the theory of planned behavior (TPB), uses and gratifications (U&G), and social cognitive theory (SCT), this study explored the impact factors of health information sharing intention and behavior. To examine the research model, an online survey was drawn up and administered to 412 WeChat users. The results of structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis revealed that the research model fits the data well. Our finding indicated that these factors impact users’ health information sharing behavior on WeChat via their attitude, subjective norm, perceived self-efficacy, and behavioral intention in various patterns. It was found that three factors positively influence both attitude toward behavior and subjective norm: status seeking, social interaction, and norm of reciprocity. We also found that social support has positive effects on the subjective norm within the context of health information sharing, but the critical mass has no effect on the subjective norm. Moreover, we found that entertainment is not the impact factor for users’ attitude toward behavior, but information needs. Overall, this study not only enriched the existing literature on health information sharing behavior and presents a new integrated conceptual model to explain multiple variables that affect WeChat users’ sharing behavior regards to health information, but also provides important theoretical and practical implications regarding motivating public participation through information sharing on social media in health communication.

Exploring the trade-off between benefit and risk perception of NIMBY facility: A social cognitive theory model

With reference to Social Cognitive Theory, this study contributes to the debate on large-scale energy projects that can be classified as NIMBY developments and their implementation in order to better understand drivers to public acceptance. Public acceptance is essential for the development of typical NIMBY facilities. This study draws on Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) to investigate the determinants of public acceptance of a NIMBY facility in Wuhan City, China, to explore how the trade-off between the perceived benefit and risk affected public acceptance. Guanshan power substation was selected as the case study, and a questionnaire was presented to 450 local residents. Using a structural equation model, this study revealed that the perceived benefit-risk was positively related to public acceptance. Self-efficacy positively affected public acceptance via the perceived benefit-risk. Furthermore, the social environment exerted a significant positive effect on public acceptance, self-efficacy and perceived benefit-risk. These findings highlight the importance of improving the social environment and taking perceived benefit-risk into account during the decision-making process for similar developments.

On the Identification of Social Cognitive Theory Models and Closed-loop Intervention Simulations Using Hybrid Model Predictive Control

Abstract This paper presents closed-loop intervention simulations for an identified, data-validated model of Social Cognitive Theory (SCT). A reduced-complexity SCT model structure consisting of dynamic operant conditioning and self-efficacy loops is considered for the prediction of physical activity behavior. Consistent with real-world requirements, including the need for hybrid decision rules policies, the proposed closed-loop intervention design follows a Hybrid Model Predictive Control formulation. The prime goal of this paper is to reinforce the viability of the system identification and control engineering frameworks in the design of optimized and perpetually adaptive behavioral health interventions.

The Impact of Organizational Factors on Nurses' Knowledge, Perceptions, and Behaviors Around Advance Care Planning.

The objective of this study was to understand the organizational context of nurses' use of advance care plans (ACPs). We use a modified version of Bandera's social cognitive theory model to understand relationships between organizational constructs such as experience with ACPs and satisfaction with organizational support and oncology nurses' knowledge, behaviors, and perceptions around ACPs. The sample included practicing registered nurses with a major focus in oncology who were members of the Oncology Nursing Society in the United States, and nurses at medical hospital or community care settings were included. Institutional review board approval was obtained, and permission was granted from the oncology nursing organization for online surveys. A validated ACP survey was used to measure nurses' experiences and perceptions of working with ACP. Perceptions of ACP by patients, vicarious experience with ACP, direct experience of ACP, having received training, and perceptions of organizational support for ACP were all predictive of total ACP behaviors in the workplace. The final regression model had 3 independent variables and accounted for 33% of the variance in total ACP behaviors. Both vicarious and direct experience with ACP was associated with ACP behaviors in workplaces. This implies the need for more vicarious and direct training experiences, as well as organization support, to build self-efficacy to perform ACP.

Analysis on Influencing Factors of Adolescents’ Physical Activity from the Perspective of Social Cognitive Theory

Abstract: Objective: To make a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature on the influencing factors of adolescent physical activity from the perspective of social cognitive theory (SCT) model. Methods: the databases at home and abroad were searched, and 18 literatures meeting the requirements were included. The effect quantities were combined by Stata 15.0 software and analyzed by subgroup. Results: (1) SCT model could predict physical activity in a moderate degree (R2 = 17%, P &lt; 0.01, z = 7.59). (2) Meta-analysis of the literature including self-efficacy, barrier self-efficacy, social support and social status showed that these factors were significantly correlated with physical activity (N ≥ 75%). (3) Influenced by different regions, gender and statistical methods, there are heterogeneity among the research results. Conclusion: SCT model can predict adolescent physical activity to a moderate extent; self efficacy, barriers self-efficacy, social support and social status are the key indicators to predict physical activity; affected by different regions, gender and cultural environment, the prediction results of SCT model on adolescent physical activity are different.

How knowledge sharing leads to innovative work behaviour

PurposeStudies have examined the influence of knowledge-sharing factors on attitudes and intentions to share knowledge; thus, there is a need to add to the limited research to examine individuals’ actual knowledge-sharing behaviour (KSB). Drawing upon the social cognitive theory (SCT) and transformational leadership, this study aims to develop a new research model which modifies the standard SCT model and augments it with other theories to examine academics’ KSBs.Design/methodology/approachQuestionnaire surveys based on literature and pilot study were conducted with 785 academic staff from four Vietnamese public universities. This study applied structural equation modelling to test the proposed research model and hypotheses.FindingsThe findings show that environmental factors (subjective norms, trust) and personal factors (knowledge self-efficacy, enjoyment in helping others) had positive impacts on KSB; KSB had a strongly positive effect on innovative behaviour; and transformational leadership positively moderated the effects of subjective norms, trust and knowledge self-efficacy on KSB. Interestingly, psychological ownership of knowledge was found to have insignificant associations with KSB.Practical implicationsThe study findings can be used by university leaders, academic staff and researchers in other similar contexts.Originality/valueUntil now, to the best of the researchers’ knowledge, no studies have applied SCT as a primary lens, in which transformational leadership positioned in a focal behaviour also affected KSB, to investigate research on KSB in organisations, especially in institutions of higher education.

Development of a Control-Oriented Model of Social Cognitive Theory for Optimized mHealth Behavioral Interventions.

Mobile health (mHealth) technologies are contributing to the increasing relevance of control engineering principles in understanding and improving health behaviors, such as physical activity. Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), one of the most influential theories of health behavior, has been used as the conceptual basis for behavioral interventions for smoking cessation, weight management, and other health-related outcomes. This paper presents a control-oriented dynamical systems model of SCT based on fluid analogies that can be used in system identification and control design problems relevant to the design and analysis of intensively adaptive interventions. Following model development, a series of simulation scenarios illustrating the basic workings of the model are presented. The model's usefulness is demonstrated in the solution of two important practical problems: 1) semiphysical model estimation from data gathered in a physical activity intervention (the MILES study) and 2) as a means for discerning the range of "ambitious but doable" daily step goals in a closed-loop behavioral intervention aimed at sedentary adults. The model is the basis for ongoing experimental validation efforts, and should encourage additional research in applying control engineering technologies to the social and behavioral sciences.