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Behavior Change
Jan G Voelkel1, Katherine L Milkman2, Angela L Duckworth2,3
11Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, NY, USA;
Annual Review of Psychology
|August 7, 2026
Summary
This review synthesizes evidence on effective behavior change strategies, proposing a three-phase model: motivation, follow-through, and habit formation. Understanding these psychological phases can inform better interventions and policies.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Behavioral Science
- Intervention Science
Background:
- Behavior change is a critical challenge across various fields including health, finance, and education.
- Decades of psychological research offer insights into influencing human actions.
- A fragmented literature necessitates a coherent framework for understanding behavior change.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize high-quality evidence, particularly randomized controlled trials, on effective behavior change strategies.
- To propose a unifying three-phase framework for conceptualizing behavior change.
- To clarify the mechanisms behind successful behavior change interventions and inform policy.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of psychological research, focusing on randomized controlled trials with objective behavioral outcomes.
- Synthesis of evidence to identify key psychological challenges and effective interventions for each phase of behavior change.
- Development of a three-phase model: motivation, follow-through, and habit formation.
Main Results:
- Identified effective strategies for building motivation, facilitating follow-through, and forming durable habits.
- Demonstrated the utility of a three-phase framework in organizing and understanding behavior change research.
- Highlighted the importance of psychological principles in designing successful interventions.
Conclusions:
- A three-phase model (motivation, follow-through, habit formation) provides a coherent structure for understanding behavior change.
- Effective behavior change interventions can be designed by addressing specific psychological challenges within each phase.
- This framework can guide the development of more effective, behaviorally informed policies and practices across diverse domains.
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