Co-evolution in behavioural design: emergent synergy between behaviour change mechanisms and their embodiments

Abstract

Behavioural design is an important, emerging area of research and practice. However, major questions remain regarding how behaviour change mechanisms should be embodied in artefacts to create effective interventions. Hence, we ask: How do behaviour change mechanisms and their embodiments emerge and relate to each other during behavioural design processes ? We answer this question via analysis of 11, in-depth case studies of expert practice. Based on our findings, we reveal a complex, multi-layered co-evolutionary process in behavioural design, capturing development within and between spaces linked to behaviour change mechanisms and their embodying artefacts. Further, we relate the structure of this co-evolutionary development via process synergy between mechanisms and embodiments spaces to understanding and cohesion of the final interventions. This has significant implications for behavioural design theory and process guidance, as well as highlighting the need for further research on the link between design processes and interventions in this context.