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System problems require system-level solutions

Over the past 6 weeks, I have delved into 5 important themes which can help us build better behaviour change interventions. In the final article of this series, it is worth highlighting some of the limits of behavioural science and behaviour change theory.


Many of the health and social problems we face — levels of physical inactivity, obesity, alcohol consumption and drug use — can be improved by applying the latest behaviour change theory and practice. However, these are systemic issues and therefore systemic change is needed to tackle their root causes.


What is a systems approach?

A system refers to a complex, interconnected set of elements that work together to produce a certain outcome or behaviour. Systems thinking is an approach to understand and solve complex problems by examining the relationships and interactions between the various components within the system.


Systems thinking views a situation or problem as a dynamic, interconnected whole, rather than a collection of isolated parts. For example, it is estimated that 63.9% of adults in England are obese or overweight. Levels of obesity and overweight borne out in statistics are the result of many interconnected components (i.e., societal and cultural influences, food production, food consumption, biological factors, individual psychology, individual activity and environmental factors).


The aim of system thinking is to understand opportunities and develop strategies to move a system from an undesirable to a more desirable state. Systems theory proposes that societal problems (such as obesity, physical inactivity or alcohol use) are determined by the interactions of components within the system. We need to understand and influence how these components operate to influence the wider system behaviour.


The traditional way of embedding change involved silo working, generalised approaches, individual-based isolated interventions, top-down direction and a lineal view of what drives behaviours. Systems working, in comparison, involves collaboration across the system, tailored interventions, looking at how the system operates as a whole, embedding leadership at all levels and viewing behaviours as dynamic with feedback loops.


Image by Freepik


How systems thinking and behavioural approaches are interlinked

Behaviour change and system change are interrelated and interdependent. Donella Meadows said:

“System thinking can only tell us what to do. It can’t do it. We’re back to the gap between understanding and implementation. System thinking by itself cannot bridge that gap, but it can lead us to the edge of what analysis can do and then point beyond — to what can and must be done by human spirit” [slightly paraphrased].

Behavioural approaches can and should be integrated into a wider systems approach by leveraging the people and relationships which make up the system — the human spirit. Donella Meadows identified 12 leverage points for system change which are now embedded within the common toolkit for change. For example, changing the goal of a system, the mindsets underpinning the goal, how the system is organised, what the dominating rules are, and how information is used to make decisions, all require us to understand and positively influence human behaviour. By bringing people together, building a common purpose, and embedding data and insight into decision making, behavioural approaches can build toward system-level change.

From Angheloiu & Tennant (2020)


In a manifesto for using behavioural science, Michael Hallsworth outlines how behavioural science needs to adapt to address the world’s challenges. Hallsworth argues that behavioural scientists need to ‘see the system’. We should identify leverage points where a specific shift in behaviour will produce wider system effects by triggering a tipping point. We also need to recognise the flaws of developing and implementing isolated interventions with narrowly defined goals. Instead, we should see the longer-term impact of a range of policies and practices with varying goals.


Behavioural science can compliment systems science. Behavioural science provides detailed insights into the psychological and social factors that shape individual behaviour. Systems thinking expands this by showing how these individual behaviours aggregate and interact to produce systemic outcomes. Behavioural science, by focusing on specific behaviours, provides granular insights. Systems thinking broadens the perspective to include the larger context, enabling a holistic view of complex issues.


Behavioural science offers practical tools for behaviour change. Whereas systems thinking ensures that these interventions are designed in a way that aligns with the systemic structure and dynamics — minimising unintended consequences. Behavioural science can inform our understanding of specific aspects of complex problems. Whilst systems thinking provides the framework to integrate these understandings into a comprehensive view of the entire system.


By Jack Moreh on Stockvault


The takeaway

System level problems require system level solutions. Although system science and behavioural science are not mutually exclusive. Systems are built and maintained by humans — through people, relationships, and their behaviours — therefore changing systems require us to understand and influence people.


Behavioural science provides micro-level insight into individual and group behaviour, while systems thinking offers a macro-level perspective on how these behaviours interact within a larger system. Together, they form a powerful toolkit for addressing complex challenges in a nuanced and effective manner.


This article is part of a series exploring how to better understand and change behaviour at scale. Other articles in this series are available here.

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Sources:

  1. Australian Prevention Partnership Centre. (2018). Systems Change Framework. Available at: https://preventioncentre.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Systems-Change-Overview-w-Practices.pdf

  2. Public Health England. (2019). Whole systems approach to obesity. Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/820783/Whole_systems_approach_to_obesity_guide.pdf

  3. Meadows, D. H. (2008). Thinking in systems: A primer. Chelsea green publishing.

  4. Behaviour Works Australia. (2023). How systems thinking compliments behavioural approaches in solving complex problems. Available at: https://www.behaviourworksaustralia.org/blog/how-systems-thinking-compliments-behavioural-approaches-in-solving-complex-problems

  5. Angheloiu, C., & Tennant, M. (2020). Urban futures: Systemic or system changing interventions? A literature review using Meadows’ leverage points as analytical framework. Cities, 104, 102808.

  6. Hallsworth, M. (2023). A manifesto for applying behavioural science. Nature Human Behaviour, 7(3), 310–322.

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