From Digital Interventions to Behavior Change Support Systems: Understanding Persuasive Systems’ Development and Evaluation Process

This paper discusses early digital interventions and evolvement of persuasive technologies sometimes termed as behavior change technologies. In addition, it builds upon the conceptual behavior change support system (BCSSs) as an idyllic platform for developing effective persuasive technologies aimed to promote behavior change in a wide array of issues from everyday life. Background. The research field of persuasive technologies has gained significant momentum over recent years with encouraging results. Yet, a key weakness with prevalent persuasive technologies is their focus on singular problem domains and lack of enduring support for users resulting in high drop out rates. Objectives. This paper discourses the development of persuasive systems (PS); emergence of BCSSs and the scope of Persuasive Systems Design (PSD) model in developing successful behavior change support systems (BCSSs). Methods. To conduct literature review, key words such as Digital Interventions and Persuasive Systems were used via Google Scholar. In addition, a thorough review was performed from the proceedings of Persuasive 2007 to 2012. Finally; some open research questions are poised to instigate discussion with an aim to have a mutual understanding of BCSSs followed by concluding remarks. Conclusion. The paper has design implications for a broader research in persuasive systems design, digital health interventions and general IS.