Behaviour Change and Well-Being

Research group

The Behaviour Change and Well-Being (BCW) group examines basic regulation processes that underlie behaviour change and well-being. To understand individual and social behaviour, we study various psychological processes, including self-control, implicit and explicit evaluations, goal pursuit, agency, mindful attention, psychological defence mechanisms, and the role of sensory input. Our research is generally grounded in social-cognitive psychological theory.

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Research projects

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The Influence of Discrimination in Decision-Making

In this research project, we investigated how discrimination influences decision-making. Using experimental procedures, we examined whether advantaged social group members are more likely to be considered than marginalized group members.

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The what and how of self-regulated learning strategies in education and sports

In this project, we offer a value-based choice perspective on self-regulated learning (SRL) in which choices are assigned a subjective value that leads to an SRL decision.

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Climate Conversation

This project systematically studies interpersonal communication about climate change both quantitatively and qualitatively. It aims to define, evaluate, and intervene on climate conversation to promote climate action.

Research

Our research, conducted at the Behavioural Science Institute, is centred around four main areas: health behaviour, diversity and inclusivity, social relationships, and environmentally responsible behaviour. We work closely with societal partners to apply our research findings and address real-life challenges in these domains. Likewise, societal challenges motivate us to explore new research questions and shape our theories.

Sustainable behaviour change

Driven by curiosity about the nature of human behaviour, our shared goal is to understand the role of such fundamental processes in contributing to sustainable behaviour change and well-being. For us, the term sustainable refers to long-term and enduring behaviour change that addresses societal challenges, such as those documented in the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Four domains

In particular, the BCW group focuses on four domains: 1) health behaviour, 2) diversity and inclusivity, 3) social relationships and 4) environmentally responsible behaviour. By collaborating with relevant societal partners, we aim to apply fundamental research insights to current challenges in each area; conversely, societal challenges inspire us to investigate novel research questions and guide theory building.

News

Picture of a man eating a burger against a blue background.

This website makes vegan food irresistibly delicious

'Plant-based eating is essential to stabilise the climate and protect our existence on earth,' says Esther Papies. With her website getplanty.org, she hopes to help the food industry get people to opt for sustainable solutions.

Risk Factory

Students act better in dangerous situations after visiting experience center

A visit to an 'experience center' turns out to be an effective way to teach young people to better assess situations even before adolescence.

Studenten op de campus

‘Without the right social relationships, it's hard to maintain healthy food choices’

Do family, friends and other acquaintances encourage young adults to make more sustainable food choices? Or do they actually stand in the way? That is what behavioural scientist Nina van den Broek is going to investigate with young adults.

Our Team

Our group is characterized by an open, collaborative, informal and enthusiastic atmosphere, with weekly research meetings in colloquia and lab groups for mutual inspiration and exchange of research ideas. 

Open science

Researchers in the BCW group are dedicated to conduct high-quality research. This means being committed to open science (e.g., pre-registrations, sharing of data and material), combining different methodologies (e.g., laboratory, field, neuroimaging studies) and valuing team science (e.g., local, national and international collaborations).

Teaching

In addition, the researchers in our group have a heart for teaching. We meet every few months to discuss our teaching at a meta-level: what do we think are the best teaching methods, and how can we best integrate our research into our teaching? We share the vision that high-quality teaching and research go hand in hand; critical thinking and the value of fundamental research in understanding behaviour and solving societal issues are central to our teaching.

Contact information

Visiting address
Thomas Van Aquinostraat 4
6525GD Nijmegen
06-25771368
Postal address
Postbus 9104
6500HE NIJMEGEN