TheoryPicker - Selecting a Behavior Change Theory to Guide Health Communication

This online tool is designed to help determine the most appropriate behaviour change theories to apply to health communication campaigns. Based on a 10-question survey about the behaviour change desired, six theories of behaviour change (focused on the individual and interpersonal levels) are ranked by their degree of fit. The TheoryPicker is intended mainly for public health professionals and students who are not behavioural scientists and who may find theory selection daunting. But the tool may also be useful to more experienced practitioners, as it could, for example, prompt them to consider alternatives to a theory they typically use.

The TheoryPicker uses a formula, which compares the description of the behaviour change challenge given in the survey with major components of the following 6 behaviour change theories:

• Diffusion of Innovoation
• Extended Parallel Processing Model
• Health Belief Model
• Planned Behaviour/Theory of Reasoned Action
• Social Learning/Cognitive Theory
• Trans-theoretical Model

TheoryPicker offers a brief overview of each theory, as well as other tips and resources relevant to health communication.