The document describes the Behavior Change Wheel, which is a framework for developing behavior change interventions. It has three layers: the outer layer contains policy categories that can support interventions, the middle layer consists of intervention functions to target specific barriers, and the inner core focuses on the capability, opportunity, and motivation needed for a behavior. An effective intervention must address the relevant precursors like knowledge, skills, or environmental restrictions to influence the target behavior.

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Outer layers influence
the next layer inwards
until behaviour is
changed at the very
centre of the wheel.

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For any behaviour to occur the
person performing the
behaviour needs to have the
physical and psychological
Capability to perform the
behaviour, the social and
physical Opportunity to
perform the behaviour, and be
Motivated to perform the
target behaviour.
Centre of the wheel:

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A behaviour change
intervention may target one or
more of these three pre-cursors
to behaviour. It is crucial to
understand which ones are
relevant; For example, an
intervention designed to
motivate people to recycle is
not going to be effective if the
main reason for not recycling is
a lack of nearby recycling
facilities
Centre of the wheel:

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The next step towards
intervention development
involves deciding which
intervention functions to use.
Which exact function one
chooses will depend on the
specific behaviour in question
and its facilitators/barriers, and
should be guided by the
literature and expert
consultation.
Middle Layer

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For example, if people do not
recycle because they lack
knowledge on how to recycle
one may choose an educational
function. If the reason is a lack
of facilities, one may choose
environmental restructuring.
Middle Layer

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The final layer contains seven
policy functions that may act as
levers of change. Policy changes
may support or indeed be the
core of a behaviour change
intervention. Policy change has
the advantage of reaching a
wide audience and conveying a
sense of authority.
Outer Layer

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