relationship between behavior and behavioral determinant

Behavior change is difficult – just think about how many people make New

Year’s resolution, and how many people fail at it. Understanding the

relationship between behavior and behavioral determinant can help us assess

our own behavior, and perhaps have us succeed with our New Year’s

resolution.

a) Think of one behavior that you want to change by the end of this year.

What is the behavior? (This should be your own behavior; this may or may

not be related to health, but make sure that it is something that can be

measured and/or observed)

b) What would be one determinant related to that behavior (i.e., what is

something that causes and/or influences this behavior)?

c) Would you try to affect the behavior, or the determinant? Why?

d) Let’s suppose that there are thousands of people just like you, and they all

want to change this behavior. What do you think is the most effective way

to help everyone change this behavior? (Perhaps coming up with a law?

Education program?)