Glossary
Discrepancy between current behavior and goal
What is discrepancy between current behavior and goal?
This behavior change technique makes the gap between someone’s current behavior and an agreed goal explicit. The comparison can involve a behavior, an action plan, or an outcome.
How it works
Control theory describes self-regulation in terms of comparing a current state with a reference standard and responding to a discrepancy. Drawing attention to a gap makes that comparison explicit; it does not guarantee that someone will act.
A coach might point out that someone completed two practice sessions against a target of four. Reporting two sessions supplies feedback; comparing that number with the agreed four-session target draws attention to the discrepancy.
Why it matters
A visible gap gives someone a concrete starting point for reviewing progress. It does not supply the time, ability, or desire to close that gap. Showing people that they are behind is only one part of understanding why.
The Behavior Change Technique Taxonomy lists this as technique 1.6. That identifies what an intervention does; evidence of whether it works must come from testing the intervention.