MINDSPACE behaviour change

Mindspace behaviour change is a framework that can be used to help people decide if they want to commit to behaviour modification. It comes under behavioural science as it is the first step in understanding a change in behaviour. The ‘MINDSPACE’ anagram is used in many different scenarios as a way to either change or enforce behaviours. The letters of ‘MINDSPACE’ stand for: messenger, incentives, norms, defaults, silence, priming, affects, commitment and ego.

Messenger: A behaviour modification is more likely to occur if the information about the change is being told by someone we trust. For example, you’re more likely to listen to a close friend that you trust over someone you haven’t met before.

Incentives: What we get out of the change or what we avoid. Research has shown that avoiding a loss or negative outcome is more incentivising than a reward.

Norms: People will act based on what they see others do around them. If they regularly encounter a certain behaviour, they are more likely to adopt that behaviour than one they don’t see as regularly.

Defaults: Everyone has their own behaviour and changing that will prove to be a challenge. To begin changing behaviour you must first try to block out the behaviour that you’re trying to lose.

Silence: Trying to relate certain messages to yourself to make them seem more relevant. If something is irrelevant, then it can appear as if it’s not actually there.

Priming: Surrounding yourself with images, sounds, and smells that promote the new behaviour. Some people may feel relaxed by certain sounds and agitated by others.

Affects: Creating a positive mood will, most likely, encourage you to behave in a more positive way. Common behaviours that people try to avoid, such as smoking or excessive eating, are most common when the environment isn’t right.

Commitment: How willing the individual is to make behaviour modifications. It has been proven that making new goals public will make you more committed.

Ego: People act in a way that they wish to be seen. The ones who want to be viewed as healthy will likely exercise and eat well; whereas those who want to be seen as boisterous will likely act so.