What are Intervention functions?
Intervention functions are the nine broad categories of mechanisms through which behavior change interventions work in the Behavior Change Wheel: education, persuasion, incentivization, coercion, training, restriction, environmental restructuring, modeling, and enablement.
How it works
Each function addresses different COM-B components. Education and training build capability. Persuasion and incentivization target motivation. Environmental restructuring and restriction modify opportunity. The BCW maps which functions address each COM-B barrier, preventing the default of using education when the barrier is actually opportunity or habit.
Applied example
A workplace wellness program combining education, training, environmental restructuring (healthy cafeteria options), modeling (leaders choosing healthy options), and incentivization (gym subsidy) uses five intervention functions to address multiple COM-B barriers simultaneously.
Why it matters
Intervention functions provide a structured menu ensuring designers consider all available approaches rather than defaulting to information campaigns.
