Text in English / The field of neuroscience is increasingly gaining exposure in the leadership domain, where it is now beginning to contribute to research and development. In this study an exploratory investigation of leadership development was undertaken with four primary aims. Firstly, to find out whether exposing participants in managerial positions to cognitive neuroscience knowledge contributes to their development as leaders. Secondly, to explore and illuminate the underlying processes that support such behavioural change. Thirdly, to investigate how behaviour changes in leaders exposed to social cognitive neuroscience knowledge are manifested within an organisational setting. Fourthly, to determine what the perceived impact on the leaders and others are regarding such behaviour changes in a specific organisational context, namely a retail environment. In the study, leaders were exposed to a social cognitive neuroscience workshop over a 5-month period. They were provided with foundational knowledge of social cognitive neuroscience in workshops with two objectives. Firstly, the workshops were intended to enhance their understanding of the brain and cognitive systems underlying thinking and behaviour of the self and others. Secondly, in the workshops the complex interaction between brain systems and subsystems such as the executive and emotional systems were shown to mirror, in a metaphorical way, some of the complex interactions between structures in business organisations. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 16 participants, as well as with some their line managers and direct reports. Data were qualitatively analysed by means of content analysis. Findings support the view that gaining social cognitive neuroscience knowledge led to increased self-awareness and an understanding of others. Implicit behavioural change resulted from cognitive and affective changes. Explicit behaviour changes were the result of conscious choice and were supported by both personal and organisational motivational drives. Leaders made behaviour changes at both personal and interactive levels based on their understanding of social cognitive neuroscience. Behaviour changes related to increased emotional regulation, a change in leadership style, an inclusive communication style, cultivating relationships, recognition strategies and strengthening trust. The implemented behaviour changes had a positive impact on participants and their direct reports and related mostly to positive affective changes, growth and development, improved relationships, personal effectiveness and team dynamics. / Psychology / D. Phil. (Consulting Psychology)

This PhD by project consists of a Manual for workers engaged in men’s behaviour change programs and a dissertation that theorises the principles underpinning the approach. The Manual and the dissertation examine a constructivist approach to challenging men’s violence against women. / The project, which is situated in rural Australia, is called the Men’s SHED (Self Help Ending Domestics) Project. The SHED Manual is based on a constructivist approach to men’s violence against women that reflects best practice principles within a profeminist framework. The Manual is comprised of eight sections that articulate various aspects of challenging men’s violence against women, with individuals, groups and communities. The dissertation details the journey of the project from its inception in 1994 to the beginning of 2002. / Personal construct theory provides a philosophical basis for the approach being enunciated in this study and it enables an exploration of constructive alternatives in engaging and challenging men towards behaviour change. As such, it is utilised both in engaging men to become non-violent and at the same time, reflexively enabling workers and facilitators to examine ways in which they can construct more effective ways for this to happen. The project is thus one of hopeful anticipation leading to new constructive alternatives in the endeavour to stop men’s violence against women.

Le changement des comportements individuels s'est récemment imposé comme un objectif majeur pour l'action publique, qui mobilise dans cette optique de nouveaux savoirs de gouvernement : les sciences comportementales. Ces savoirs sont employés de manière explicite et croissante dans la politique énergétique du Japon pour réduire la consommation d’énergie des ménages, dans un contexte marqué par l’accident nucléaire de Fukushima et la libéralisation des marchés de l’énergie. Cette thèse examine les facteurs explicatifs et les modalités concrètes de cette transformation significative dans un domaine jusque-là dominé par une approche techno-économique prêtant peu attention aux comportements. Notre analyse associe des perspectives théoriques et méthodologiques issues de la sociologie de l'action publique et des études sur les transferts de politiques publiques pour retracer la genèse et la mise en œuvre de deux expérimentations : celle des réseaux électriques « intelligents » dans les Smart Communities et celle des nudges et des Home Energy Reports de l’entreprise étasunienne Opower. La conduite d’environ quatre-vingt entretiens semi-directifs et l’examen de nombreuses sources écrites ont mis en évidence la place centrale des circulations transnationales dans l’élaboration et la conduite de ces programmes et plus généralement de la politique énergétique de l’archipel.Nous défendons la thèse que la mobilisation des sciences comportementales dans la politique énergétique japonaise résulte d’une multiplicité de facteurs qui questionne l’opposition entre des changements de nature soit endogène soit exogène, et la distinction entre facteurs domestiques et facteurs extranationaux. Le recours à ces savoirs de gouvernement s’explique en effet par la capacité d’un petit groupe d’acteurs programmatiques japonais à introduire dans la politique énergétique des sciences et des instruments originaires de l’étranger, en réponse à des enjeux spécifiques au Japon. Notre analyse microsociologique des stratégies de ces acteurs invite à une endogénéisation de l’explication du changement intégrant les facteurs exogènes et les dynamiques extranationales. La mobilisation des sciences comportementales dans la politique nippone résulte indissociablement de l’essor de ces savoirs dans la recherche et l’action publique aux États-Unis et en Europe, des stratégies d’acteurs transnationaux, étasuniens et japonais, et de la prégnance des enjeux climatiques et énergétiques sur l’archipel. Nous suggérons par ailleurs que les États-Unis sont au cœur de la circulation des sciences comportementales dans le domaine de l’énergie, et que le recours à ces savoirs dans l’action publique s’explique par, outre leur succès académique, leur dimension « pratique » et « consensuelle ». / In recent years, changing individual behaviours has become a key issue for public policy, which has been mobilising new bodies of knowledge, namely behavioural sciences. These are explicitly and increasingly used in Japan’s energy policy in order to lower household energy consumption, in the context of both the Fukushima nuclear disaster and the liberalisation of the energy markets. My dissertation investigates the explanatory factors and the implementation of this significant change in a policy domain which was so far marked by a techno-economic approach paying little attention to behavioural issues. Drawing on theoretical and methodological perspectives from public policy analysis and policy transfer studies, I analyse the genesis and the implementation of two large-scale programs: first, the smart grid social experiments named Smart Communities; second, the Opower’s Home Energy Reports pilot study. Building on about eighty semi-structured interviews and on a wide variety of written sources, I emphasise the major role played by transnational circulations in the design and the implementation of these programs, and more broadly in Japan’s energy policy.I argue that the mobilisation of behavioural sciences in Japan’s energy policy results from manifolds factors which question the opposition between the endogenous and exogenous nature of policy change, as well as the distinction between domestic and extranational factors. Indeed, the use of this body of knowledge can be explained by the strategies of a few stakeholders who achieved to introduce new policy ideas and tools coming from abroad, in response to issues faced by the Japanese Government. Through a micro-sociological analysis of their strategies, I suggest to endogenize the explanation of policy change while integrating exogenous factors and extranational dynamics. The mobilisation of behavioural sciences in Japan’s energy policy results inseparably from the expansion of this body of knowledge in academia and in public policy in the US and in Europe; from the strategies of transnational, Japanese and American stakeholders; and from the stringency of climate and energy problems in Japan. The US plays a central role in the transnational circulation of behavioural sciences in the energy field, which can be explained by the “practical” and “consensual” dimension of these sciences.

The current PhD thesis aimed to cross-culturally investigate the effectiveness of gain- and loss-framed physical activity messages among the university students in Turkey and the UK. This study sought to test the impact of the physical activity messages focusing on stress-related effects on physical activity intentions, attitudes and behaviours of the target group. The messages were developed based on the findings of a series of preliminary studies targeting to determine the characteristics and needs of the target groups, and identify the barriers to engage in physical activity. Two quasi-experimental studies were conducted with 309 university students from the two countries (200 participants from Turkey and 109 participants from the UK) to test the effects of framed messages on intentions and attitudes towards physical activity, and physical activity behaviour change in two weeks after message exposure. Results showed that immediate effects of both gain- and loss-framed messages on physical activity intentions and attitudes were significant in Turkey and the UK. However, these effects could not be maintained in the two weeks following the message exposure. Moreover, the loss-framed message led to a message reactance in the UK, and physical activity intensity of the participants in the loss-framed group were significantly decreased compared to their baseline physical activity levels. The present study was the first message framing study comparing Turkey and the UK in terms of the impact of gain- and loss-framed framed physical activity messages. Therefore, this study contributes to the literature through providing evidence on the effects of message framing interventions which are developed and implemented in different cultures. Recommendations for future message framing research include measuring physical activity behaviour through objective methods, and examining the impact of the tailored messages through using different dissemination methods in larger samples.

The theoretical part of this diploma thesis deals with the changes of behaviour and attitude of clients who underwent drug addiction therapy. I have focused on the ethical aspects of these changes and their development within the build-up of the clients' new identity. I will analyse the environment and facilities in which the changes take place, approaches to therapy as well as addiction models, these being the decisive factors of change. I will also focus on the concept of identity build-up as presented in M. Brožová's analysis as a process of changes, which take place after therapy in communities and therapeutic facilities. In the conclusion, I will analyse the conception of ethics and the components of ethics as a basis to define signs of ethical behaviour in the topics of respondents. The practical part is a probe into the process of behaviour and attitude development of Prevent After Care clients. In the introduction, I will present the applied research methods, selection of fields, the research sample and operational procedures. Further, individual dialogues with respondents are included, including interpretation of the dialogues in relation to human practice and an interpretation of behaviour changes. In the dialogues, I will focus on the perception of changes by the clients themselves, their idea of freedom and their values.

The development of the human built environment is an essential component to achieving and maintaining a sustainable society. Much has been done to develop tools, techniques and approaches for creating ‘green’ or ‘sustainable’ neighbourhoods yet they rarely demonstrate the capacity to address the wider socio-ecological requirements for achieving success. This paper studies the current approaches to green design and planning, proposes a new approach called Needs Based Design (NBD), and identifies the gaps that exist between the two. Results indicate that NBD is based on a firm foundation, is widely applicable, and can support and spur regional sustainable development initiatives and positive behaviour change within communities. It fills three major gaps identified in current green design by utilising systems thinking and a shared language and framework, and focusing on the needs of individuals within communities. Concerns exist, however, about its reliance on broad community participation and ongoing education. In theory, NBD allows project teams to implement their work within the context of a strategic sustainable development perspective. Recommended now is practical application and testing. / Both a Master's thesis and an introductory guide, as a supplement to the thesis, are included. / <p>Natalie Haltrich 144 1st Boulevard Terrasse-Vaudreuil Quebec J7V 5T1 Canada</p>

Physical inactivity and disconnection from natural environments threatens human health. However, research has demonstrated that natural environments potentially support health-enhancing physical activity which could confer greater physical and mental health benefits than physical activity in other types of environment. This thesis approached the study of physical activity in natural environments through three related pieces of research. Firstly, an experimental study was carried out to explore how the presence of litter in beach environments affected psychophysiological responses to exercise. Responses to exercise did not differ in littered and clean conditions but there was evidence that order effects influenced findings. Visual attention to the two scenes differed, but did not mediate differences in psychophysiological responses. Secondly, analysis of a national dataset was undertaken to explore the form and quantity of physical activity conducted within natural environments in England. A series of linear regressions revealed that higher-intensity physical activities occurred in countryside environments, but more total energy expenditure occurred in coastal environments. Thirdly, a quantitative content analysis of brochures which promote recreational walking in natural environments was conducted which investigated their use of persuasive behavioural messages. These brochures omitted behavioural techniques which may be effective at motivating inactive individuals to walk. Extending this, an online survey tested whether improving brochure content heightened intentions to walk in natural environments. By designing content based on the theory of planned behaviour, the intentions of inactive individuals to undertake walking in natural environments were increased. The findings from this thesis demonstrate that the protection of natural environments is vital for preserving and promoting active recreation and could contribute to population-level increases in physical activity with theory-based promotion in the future.

Användningen av självkvantifieringsapplikationer är utbredd, men dess utförande långt från fulländat. Den användning som förekommer är nästintill uteslutande koncentrerad till självförbättring. I denna undersökning appliceras denna trend av självförbättring på en global hållbarhetskontext med syfte att minska klimatpåverkan kopplat till livsmedelskonsumtion. Här avses undersöka hur återkoppling i en självkvantifieringsapplikation kan utformas för att förändra en specifik vana, köttkonsumtion. Undersökningen som utfördes bestod i en kvantifieringsstudie där deltagare på egen hand kartlade sin livsmedelskonsumtion utifrån huruvida den var vegetarisk eller ej. Deltagarna i studien fick ta del av olika typer av återkoppling på sin konsumtion. För hälften av deltagarna sattes den personliga konsumtionen i förhållande till den genomsnittliga konsumtionen. Den andra hälften tog istället del av vetenskapligt grundade påståenden om hur konsumtionen måste se ut för en hållbar framtidsutveckling. Ingen av grupperna visade på någon definitiv beteendeförändring av köttkonsumtionen. Deltagarna efterfrågade olika återkoppling beroende på deras mål och viljor samt förkunskaper. Självkvantifering i detta syfte togs väl emot och deltagarna var positiva till användningen, men önskade ytterligare återkoppling. / The use of Quantified Self (QS) applications is widely spread, however, its design and potential is far from fulfilled. Today, its main focus is on self-improvement. This essay aims to investigate how self-improvement can be put in a global sustainable context and how the feedback in a QS-application can be designed to change one specific habit, meat consumption. The survey consisted of a logging phase where participants logged their food consumption in terms of whether each meal was vegetarian or not. The participants in the study were divided into two groups that got two different types of feedback on their consumption. The first group’s feedback consisted of a relation between each participants individual meat consumption related to the mean score of the rest of the group, while the other group got information about scientifically established facts about future sustainable meat consumption. Neither of the groups showed any definite behaviour change in their meat consumption. Results show that the participants had needs for individually designed feedback depending on their motivation, ability and attitudes to the issue. The concept of self quantization got positive feedback in the post-study survey participants were asked to answer, although many of participants requested more interactivity and differently designed feedback content.

Background: Regular physical activity (PA) is critical for children’s health and wellbeing. Despite the numerous health benefits, most Canadian children do not meet the Canadian PA guidelines. The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and social restrictions added new challenges to meeting the PA guidelines. Mobile health (mHealth) technology can be leveraged to promote PA among children. Combining gamification with mHealth interventions has the potential to further improve program effectiveness. Thus, “Draco” was developed as a virtual pet smartphone app to increase PA in children using self-determination theory as a framework to promote intrinsic motivation for PA. Objective: The primary objective is to evaluate the satisfaction and acceptability of the Draco app after four weeks. Secondary objectives include evaluating the preliminary effectiveness of the Draco app to improve average daily steps, average daily MVPA, perceived autonomy for PA, perceived competence for PA, and perceived relatedness to the app. Methods: 43 Canadian children, aged 8-14 years old, not meeting the Canadian PA guidelines of 60min of MVPA per day were randomly allocated to an intervention or control group. Participants in the control group used a step-tracking app for four weeks. Intervention participants were instructed to use the Draco app. Participants completed a baseline and follow-up questionnaire. PA outcomes were tracked using a Fitbit provided to each participant. Intrinsic PA motivation was assessed using an adapted version of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI). Intrinsic motivation was assessed using the satisfaction subscale. Exit interviews were completed to determine app acceptability. Results: Participants demonstrated high levels of satisfaction and acceptability with the Draco app 2.83 (1.29). Intervention participants increased their average daily steps by 909 (1701). The control group increased their steps by 46 (1507). The Draco app had a small effect on promoting steps, MVPA, relatedness and small effects at increasing autonomy and competence. Conclusion: Participants demonstrated high levels of satisfaction and acceptability with the app. Participants in the intervention group showed greater increases in PA with small effect sizes. Preliminary evidence highlights the importance of tailoring game design to the users. Technical limitations impacted recruitment and user experiences. Additional development time should be taken to stabilize the app and add new game features for a definitive RCT. / Graduate

The global AIDS pandemic with more than 30 million people being infected, with the greatest impact in sub-Saharan Africa, remains an enormous challenge to all societies including the churches. Especially young Africans, aged 15 to 24, face a high risk of getting infected with HIV. However, multifaceted and contextual preventive measures for this age group have good chances of curbing the epidemic. This dissertation in Practical Theology attempts to explore the potential contribution of Christian curriculum-based AIDS prevention in the Ghanaian context. It does this by relating practical-theological insights to the lifeworld of young people in Ghana. Thus the specific opportunities and limitations of Christian prevention programmes are identified. Their relevance for religious education in Ghana is finally examined in three exemplary curricula with Christian and secular approaches. The findings result in practical recommendations for the design of Christian AIDS prevention programmes within the Ghanaian context. / Practical theology / D. Th. (Practical Theology)