the language of barriers and drivers: problems and limitations yolande strengers warning: this...
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The language of barriers and drivers: problems and limitations
Yolande Strengers
WARNING: This presentation is deliberately provocative. Don’t take it personally!
RMIT University© June 2010 Centre for Design 2
What are drivers?
Drivers take you somewhere
Drivers make you do something
Drivers may need to be changed to achieve a desired behaviour
RMIT University© June 2010 Centre for Design 3
What are barriers?
Barriers stop you from going somewhere
Barriers stop you from doing things
Barriers are obstacles that may need to be removed to achieve a desired behaviour/ outcome
RMIT University© June 2010 Centre for Design 4
Step 1: Identify barriers
UNDESIRED BEHAVIOURDESIRED BEHAVIOUR
BARRIERS/ OBSTACLES/ HURDLES/ OBTRUSIONS
20 minutes 4 minutes
RMIT University© June 2010 Centre for Design 5
Step 2: Remove barriers
UNDESIRED BEHAVIOURDESIRED BEHAVIOUR
Linear process of change
20 minutes 4 minutes
RMIT University© June 2010 Centre for Design 6
More barriers!
Assumption: Barriers exist in isolation from each other and in isolation from behaviour.
Problem: No language/ theory of connectivity
Potential outcome: new unexpected barriers appear (rebound effects) resulting in no desired
change
20 minutes 20 minutes
RMIT University© June 2010 Centre for Design 7
New barriers!
Assumption: Barriers are (at least temporarily) static
Problem: No language of continual change
Potential outcome: Practices/ behaviours change
20 minutes 2 x 15 minutes?
RMIT University© June 2010 Centre for Design 9
Step 2: Change the drivers
Linear causal process of change
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Traffic jam!
Assumption: Drivers are independent and autonomous of each other
Problem: No language/ theory of connectivity
Potential outcome: Lots of individual drivers create a new social phenomenon with its own set of problems (i.e. traffic jam)
RMIT University© June 2010 Centre for Design 11
Drivers change
Assumption: Drivers are (at least temporarily) static
Problem: No language/ theory of change (apart from linear causality)
Potential outcome: New drivers emerge, undesired change may occur
RMIT University© June 2010 Centre for Design 12
Missing questions and answers
How do these connect?
What is the relationship within and between barriers and drivers?
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Missing questions and answers
How are each of these phenomena changing?
Changing drivers
Changing barriers
Changing people/ behaviours
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Missing questions and answersHow do drivers, barriers and behaviour change in relation to each other?
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Missing questions and answers
What does the combination of barriers, drivers & behaviour look like?
How do we understand it collectively?
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Overlaying theories required
• Theories of behaviour change
• Theories of technology change
• Theories of system change
Potential problem: People, technology and systems not necessarily considered holistically
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Summary of assumptions embedded into the language of barriers and drivers
• Barriers and drivers exist independently of each other (but can still be grouped together)
• Barriers and drivers are not affected by each other
• Behaviour exists independently of and externally from barriers and drivers
• People are ‘confronted’ by barriers and their behaviour is ‘driven’ by externalities (individual agency unclear)
• If one driver or barrier changes, the others won’t
• Technologies, behaviour and systems are separated and segregated
• To change behaviour, we must remove barriers and change the drivers
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An alternative: practice theory
• Key assumptions:
– Practices are the central unit of analysis & change (rather than barriers, drivers or behaviours)
– Practices composed of a number of elements/ components: meanings & images; things & stuff; systems & infrastructures; practical knowledge; rules & regulations.
– Inter-relationships & connectivity between ‘elements’ or ‘components’ of a practice are prioritised
– Agency is accounted for: people are ‘participants’ in or ‘carriers’ of practices
– Change takes place through the continual reproduction/ enactment of practice
– Technology, behaviour and systems are part of the practice (rather than external from it and separate from each other)
– Practices are always changing (whether we want them to or not)
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Why care?
• The language of ‘barriers’ and ‘drivers’ permeates policy, design, resource, environment and behaviour change sectors.
• Language is important:
– It frames and defines problems & outcomes
– It reflects and represents the way we view the world
– It encourages particular assumptions
– It hides and masks alternative realities
– It prioritises (or reflects) particular theories