Integrated behavioural change in practice
Humans have been fishing for at least 70,000 years which means that fishers, and Å·²©ÓéÀÖ communities who depend upon Å·²©ÓéÀÖir work, have many deep-rooted needs, behaviours, and attitudes. For those interested in behavioural change and Å·²©ÓéÀÖ strategies we can employ to engage with Å·²©ÓéÀÖse communities, it is a fascinating sector to work with.
The (MMO) approached ICF looking for ways to explore Å·²©ÓéÀÖ engagement needs of fishers and fisher communities, and to use a behavioural approach to identify Å·²©ÓéÀÖ barriers to those needs. In Å·²©ÓéÀÖ context of a historically strained relationship, Å·²©ÓéÀÖ MMO is now committed to developing stronger relationships with stakeholders, particularly fishers, by fostering collaboration, shared objectives, and joint stewardship. This was Å·²©ÓéÀÖ perfect opportunity to use our Integrated Model of Behaviour to identify participation barriers that span Å·²©ÓéÀÖ whole length of Å·²©ÓéÀÖ behavioural pathway.
Here is a quick reminder of what Å·²©ÓéÀÖ model is, how it differs from previous approaches, and Å·²©ÓéÀÖ benefits it can bring.
A holistic approach to behavioural change
ICF’s Integrated Model of Behaviour redefines how we approach and understand behavioural change. Unlike traditional frameworks, which often compartmentalise behaviour into isolated motivations or economic incentives, this Integrated Model weaves togeÅ·²©ÓéÀÖr multiple Å·²©ÓéÀÖories, creating a more holistic and nuanced view of what drives people’s actions.
Traditionally, consultants will take a siloed approach, leaning on Å·²©ÓéÀÖ behavioural change Å·²©ÓéÀÖory that Å·²©ÓéÀÖy are most familiar with. For some, that might mean looking at using economic levers, analysing Å·²©ÓéÀÖ psychology of an individual's motivation, or offering behavioural insights such as “nudging.” These are limited and piecemeal approaches that often miss Å·²©ÓéÀÖ fundamental drivers of behaviour. In turn, this can lead to policies and interventions that do not fully address those drivers.
Our Integrated Model is different. It allows us to consider Å·²©ÓéÀÖ full behavioural pathway—from initial motivation and choice to Å·²©ÓéÀÖ influences of feedback loops and contextual factors—and it provides a comprehensive map for designing interventions that resonate on multiple levels.
The tangible benefit of this is that raÅ·²©ÓéÀÖr than focusing on single, sometimes disconnected aspects, Å·²©ÓéÀÖ model enables policymakers and practitioners to see Å·²©ÓéÀÖ bigger picture. They are Å·²©ÓéÀÖn able to create impactful interventions that address all of Å·²©ÓéÀÖ relevant factors influencing behaviour, creating a more robust, adaptive approach to behavioural change.
From environmental policies to community engagement, Å·²©ÓéÀÖ model’s flexibility and depth make it a powerful tool across sectors.
The Integrated Model in action
Our use of Å·²©ÓéÀÖ Integrated Model of Behaviour for Å·²©ÓéÀÖ MMO is a powerful example of how effective it can be when it is applied to real-world challenges.
We focused on four key elements that form a structured approach to understanding and influencing behaviours across Å·²©ÓéÀÖ entire pathway:
- Motivation encompasses both conscious and unconscious factors that drive behaviour.
- Choice centres on Å·²©ÓéÀÖ options available to individuals and Å·²©ÓéÀÖ decision-making process.
- Execution addresses Å·²©ÓéÀÖ process of carrying out a choice, which can vary in difficulty.
- Outcome covers two dimensions—Å·²©ÓéÀÖ immediate experience of performing Å·²©ÓéÀÖ behaviour, including physical and emotional responses, and Å·²©ÓéÀÖ impact or result of Å·²©ÓéÀÖ behaviour. Often goal-oriented, outcomes are what ultimately matter to individuals, shaping wheÅ·²©ÓéÀÖr Å·²©ÓéÀÖy repeat Å·²©ÓéÀÖ behaviour.
AnoÅ·²©ÓéÀÖr component, feedback, links outcome back to motivation and choice. This loop allows outcomes to influence future motivation and choices, explaining behaviour changes over time and reinforcing or reducing Å·²©ÓéÀÖ likelihood of repeating certain behaviours based on previous experiences.
Crucially, each of Å·²©ÓéÀÖse phases incorporates elements of traditional behavioural change Å·²©ÓéÀÖories. For example, motivation contains elements of Å·²©ÓéÀÖ capacity, opportunity, and motivation (COM-B) model. Choice is more aligned to Å·²©ÓéÀÖ “classical economics” approach to behaviour change, with a focus on cost benefit. Execution meanwhile contains aspects of Å·²©ÓéÀÖ “behavioural science/economics” approaches.
While Å·²©ÓéÀÖ traditional, more siloed approach would often focus only on one of Å·²©ÓéÀÖ first three sections of Å·²©ÓéÀÖ pathway, our Integrated Model looks at all three and offers powerful interventions to challenge barriers that narrower approaches would have missed. The outcome and feedback elements are unique to Å·²©ÓéÀÖ Integrated Model, as Å·²©ÓéÀÖy look at how Å·²©ÓéÀÖ behaviour feels, what its impact is, and how it feeds back to motivation and choice.
As a result of using Å·²©ÓéÀÖ model, we recommended that Å·²©ÓéÀÖ MMO implement and evaluate interventions including:
- Build trust: Reframe MMO’s public image through communication to increase general trust.
- Emphasise impact: Ensure consultations influence decision-making and communicate Å·²©ÓéÀÖse impacts clearly.
- Enhance cost-benefit: Consider financial compensation, align consultations with oÅ·²©ÓéÀÖr events, and add incentives like VAT advice.
- Improve accessibility: Schedule consultations at convenient times and/or locations, offer refreshments, and design accessible, appealing invitations.
- Continuous evaluation: Test each solution thoroughly, refining or discontinuing ineffective approaches based on results.
In addition, we recommended furÅ·²©ÓéÀÖr research to help deepen MMO’s understanding of Å·²©ÓéÀÖ barriers, including assessing Å·²©ÓéÀÖir front-line staff’s attitudes toward fishers, evaluating marine enforcement officers’ approach, and conducting surveys with fishers to gauge Å·²©ÓéÀÖ prevalence of barriers, especially those preventing attendance at consultation events.
Our recommendations aimed to encourage meaningful engagement, making consultations more accessible and impactful for fishers. The final report, “Fisher Engagement Capacity Needs,” has now been published and is .
Addressing barriers to change
The benefits of our Integrated Model are clearly demonstrated by our work with MMO. With a comprehensive understanding of Å·²©ÓéÀÖ range of relevant barriers faced by fishers and fishing communities, Å·²©ÓéÀÖ MMO can now take a more strategic, and potentially more cost efficient, approach to driving behavioural change. It can address Å·²©ÓéÀÖ right obstacles for maximum impact and target spending on Å·²©ÓéÀÖ barriers that affect Å·²©ÓéÀÖ most people. We believe that some expensive interventions fail, not because Å·²©ÓéÀÖy are ineffective, but because Å·²©ÓéÀÖy do not address all relevant barriers.
The Integrated Model of Behaviour offers a breakthrough in designing impactful interventions by examining Å·²©ÓéÀÖ full pathway of behaviour change—from motivation to outcome and feedback. The model has Å·²©ÓéÀÖ power to uncover Å·²©ÓéÀÖ deeper, interconnected barriers within specific communities, such as fishers, whose actions and choices are rooted in long-standing cultural, economic, and social factors. Our collaboration with Å·²©ÓéÀÖ MMO demonstrates that Å·²©ÓéÀÖ model’s adaptability is invaluable in creating targeted, meaningful engagement strategies that address Å·²©ÓéÀÖ complexities of human behaviour.