Designing for Behavior Change

Appendix A. Glossary of Terms

This book introduces many new concepts and terms, such as the “behavioral plan” and the “Create Action Funnel.” This glossary provides definitions of those terms, for your convenience. For the sake of brevity though, many of the common behavioral economics terms referenced in the book (e.g., “implementation intentions”) are not included here.

ability (per the Create Action Funnel):

a stage in the Create Action Funnel when the user evaluates whether or not she can take the target action now. The ability to take the target action has four criteria: knowing logistically how to take the action, having the resources necessary to act, having the skills necessary to act, and having a sense of self-efficacy or belief in success. See Create Action Funnel.

actor (aka target actor):

the person who takes action because of the product. When the actor takes the action, it causes the product’s outcome. See (target) action, (target) outcome.

action (aka target action):

the behavior that the design process seeks to engender. When the actor takes the action, it causes the product’s outcome. Note: “action” and “behavior” are used as synonyms throughout the book. See (target) actor, (target) outcome.

action sequence:

the sequence of small steps that the user is encouraged to take. The small steps lead up to a final, target action. The action sequence is the core narrative of the behavioral plan.

behavioral bridge:

a description that links a behavior that the user already knows and ...