Does the Quantified-Self Lead to Behavior Change?
In 2006, marketing commentator, Michael Palmer said “Data is just like crude. It’s valuable, but if unrefined it cannot really be used” [15]. Over a decade on, our lives are more saturated with data than ever, but we still seem far from harnessing its full potential.
Health and well-being is one area in particular where this issue is very prevalent. In recent years, fitness technologies have produced a plethora of data for individuals who want to change, abandon, or adopt particular habits related to their health. Just like crude oil, health data has subsequently become hugely abundant.
However, if we don’t learn how to best navigate and refine the large amounts of data offered by this technology, then it will be difficult to help people use it for the betterment of their health and well-being. This article explores how these difficulties can be overcome, and highlights how behavioral science can untangle the complex relationship between technology and long-lasting behavior change.
References
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About the Author
Zoe Adams
Zoe is a PhD candidate in Linguistics at Queen Mary University of London. She is bridging the gap between public health and language attitudes by studying how British accents affect the persuasiveness of public health interventions. Her interests include consumer psychology, attitude change, and stereotyping.
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