Application of Behavior Change Theory to the Development

BEHAVIOR CHANGE THEORY
authors refer to as “intimacy”. Four strategies (express empathy, strengthen selfefficacy,
dramatic relief, and environmental reevaluation) were scored as providing,
“More than expected treatment/TTM match (+1)”. This increased level of “intimacy”
appears to have provided an extra cushion of safety for the public.
Table 7
McBride & Peck, 1970: Low Threat/High Intimacy Letter
Design Characteristics Score General stage Score Early stage Score Late stage Score
Participation rate 70% 4 Systematic feedback 3 Consciousness raising 2 Stimulus control 0
No-treatment control 4 Personal
responsibility
Random assignment 4 Direct advice 3 Environmental
reevaluation
Similar subject
characteristics
Blinded to random
schedule
Temporality 4 Strengthen selfefficacy
3 Dramatic relief 2 Helping relationships 0
27
2 Counter conditioning 0
0 Choice of strategy 3 Social liberation 0 Contingency
management
0 Express empathy 3 Self reevaluation 0 Self liberation 0
3
Total 16 18 6 0
Low threat/low intimacy letter. The low threat/low intimacy letter (Appendix B-9)
made use of all six general strategies, three of five early stage techniques, and none of
the late stage approaches (Table 8). Of the five letters evaluated in the current section,
this form was the only letter found to be associated with significantly fewer accidents
(p < 0.05) than the control condition when used either with or without the
questionnaire. However, the low threat and low intimacy letter was not found to be an
effective deterrent for violations.
Systematic feedback was handled in a straightforward manner without the acrimony
and hostility identified in other warning letters. Personal responsibility was
emphasized directly with a concise statement, “Henceforth, your case will be reviewed
on a periodic basis and any further action will depend upon your future driving
performance”. The letter provided direct advice regarding expected behavior and
intimated a choice of strategies to follow. The tone was empathetic and an explicit
attempt was made to strengthen the subject’s resolve to improve.
0