Module: Behaviour Change & Technology

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Behaviour Change & Technology
Module Code	PSY1035 (ITS: PSYC215)
Faculty	Psychology	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module explores the science underpinning behaviour change, including barriers and facilitators; design aspects of behaviour change, as well as innovations in technology and behaviour change.

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically understand the role of behavioural science in technology design
2. Critically consider existing behaviour change frameworks and digital behaviour change methodologies
3. Identify and analyse key factors influencing behaviour change at individual, organisational and societal level
4. Plan and appraise a digital behaviour change intervention for a specific target behaviour and population

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Lecture (Asynchronous and Synchronous) Based on indicative content and learning outcomes
Seminars	11	Post Lecture (Synchronous) Moderator and student-led tutorials
Workshop	8	Workshop: Challenge-based workshop where students identify a user group and specify a behaviour change design opportunity. (4 hours) Design Workshop: Design workshop where students use their User Report as a design input, following a design process to plan their Intervention Design Document. (4 hours)
Independent Study	82	Self directed learning including assessment preparation
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	11477	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Richard Lombard Vance	Module Teacher	Kathleen Ryan, Lorraine Boran

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Real world case study where students identify a user group and specify a behaviour change design opportunity. Students will subsequently create a technology-based, theory-driven behaviour change intervention plan. They will produce a User Needs Report (30%) and Intervention Design Document (70%).	100%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Setting the groundwork for behaviour change
Practical and ethical considerations, identifying and defining target behaviour; identifying barriers and facilitators of behaviour change; Use and misuse of behaviour sciences

Theory driven and evidence based behaviour change
Theory driven and evidence based behaviour change including behaviour change methodologies; exploration and comparison of frameworks and models, design of a behaviour change intervention

Interventions for behaviour change at the individual, organisational societal levels

The complex relationship between behaviour and technology
The complex relationship between behaviour and technology; types of technology (from the obvious computing technology to “lower tech”) for behaviour change; intentional and accidental behaviour change, Persuasive technology, behaviour change technology

Design, implementation and assessment: Using technology at all stages of the behaviour change process.

Assessing intervention outcomes from objective measures to user experience

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Christmas, S., Michie, S., West, R.,: 2019, Thinking About Behaviour Change: An Interdisciplinary Dialogue., Silverback Publishing,
Hagger, M. S., Cameron, L. D., Hamilton, K., Hankonen, N., & Lintunen, T. (Eds.).: 2020, The handbook of behavior change., Cambridge University Press.,
Michie, S., Atkins, L., & West, R: 2014, The behaviour change wheel. A guide to designing interventions., 1st., Silverback Publishing, GB,
Michie, S. F., West, R., Campbell, R., Brown, J., & Gainforth, H.: 2014, ABC of behaviour change theories, Silverback publishing,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None