Better Understanding of Human Decision Making Can Inform the Design of Sociotechnical Systems That Foster and Support Behavior Modification

Abstract

Behavior modification is the process of identifying and changing an undesirable behavior to a more desirable one. As computational devices and the data they produce become more ubiquitous, sociotechnical systems utilizing these devices become more viable as tools to support behavior modification endeavors. These systems can be accessed at the moments people need them, supplying the right support and guidance on a personalized basis. As behaviors are based on decisions, sociotechnical systems supporting behavior modification that incorporate our understanding of human decision making are likely to be more efficacious than those that do not. These systems can also utilize our knowledge of motivation to further improve their users' likelihood of success. My dissertation research examines how our understanding of human decision making and motivation can be used to better determine how sociotechnical systems can be built that encourage and support people in their behavior modification efforts.