The Internet of Things (IoTs)’s Role in Lasting Behavior Change

This article will explain what “smart” devices are and why they are important in shaping behavior across a range of products and industries. I will discuss three products that piqued my interest because of their unique approach to behavior change and how they can accelerate behavior modification by making their products “smarter” via the Internet of Things (IoTs).

What Makes “Smart” Devices Smart?

“Smart” personal devices (Apple Watch), home appliances (Google Nest), transportation (Waymo) and even cities (SmartPark) are rapidly becoming the norm. Their convenience, integration with other technologies, and potential to improve multiple dimensions of life are undeniable (not to mention habit-forming). These intelligent, connected, human-to-gadget devices were defined by technologist Kevin Ashton as the Internet of Things (IoT). Ashton used IoT to describe tools that exchange information over the cloud in real-time to make every day life easier for its users. IoTs can make applications and services smarter by personalizing them to meet users’ specific needs and preferences, and can even integrate multiple pieces of information to anticipate future behavior or events.

IoTs Can Revolutionize Behavioral Science Apps

IoTs have come a long way since the concept was defined by Ashton nearly two decades ago. A few notable products have integrated behavioral science principles to help us understand and change what, how and why people do what they do. These programs can have an even greater impact by implementing IoTs in their application.

Habitica

• What is it? Habitica is an entertaining way to motivate yourself to achieve self-defined goals. You begin by developing a pixelated avatar for yourself and deciding what types of goals you would like to achieve (work, exercise, health & wellness, school, chores, creativity, and self-care). After your selection, a pre-populated Kanban board-esque dashboard greets you with suggestions on habits, “dailies”, to dos, and self-defined rewards. You can play this game with friends by joining a party. Like a video game, you can earn items and equipment to make your experience more interesting.
• When I would use this app: If I were specifically seeking a self-directed, video game character-focused approach to achieving my goals.

• Unique selling point: Gamification.
• Why this strategy works: Games are inherently engaging because they allow for autonomy, interpersonal communication, and for individuals to assess and develop their own competence in an activity. People are motivated to participate in activities that meet these factors because they are considered basic psychological needs. Gamification means the product incorporates some or all of these elements to make it more engaging for the user (see image below from Hulaj et al. 2020).

• Users are self-directed in specifying their own real-world goals in using this productivity app (personal autonomy). Personal and peer-based accountability are encouraged (social interaction), as is task completion or mastery (competence). Mitchell Parsons has discussed connecting Habitica with IoTs here.

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The Fabulous‍

• What is The Fabulous? A similarly gamified method of “building a new routine”, “achieving goals” and “overcoming challenges”. Upon choosing a goal, you are asked to share whether you have been formally diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This is followed by a questionnaire that inquires about specifics regarding your plan and finally, a payment screen requesting at minimum $1 to view your behavior change plan.
• When I would use this app: If there was a specific interest in setting goals in the context of a clinical attentional disorder.
• Unique selling point: Established methods to shape behaviors (Journeys, Challenges) with robust community support (Circles).
• Why this strategy works: The Fabulous relieves users of the burden of structuring and navigating a goal alone. It supports a range of goals and also offers personalized coaching for more effective results. People gradually shape their behavior by using long-term (supportive Journeys) and short-term (Challenges) goals, while seeking support from other users via their forum. It is a versatile productivity program that encourages to do lists, journaling, mindfulness-based exercises and goal tracking. People can complete these tasks independently or by using an interactive approach by seeking support from other The Fabulous users. Coaching is also available. While these may be appealing features, I would have been more persuaded to use the app if there was a specific argument or apparent data-driven reason as to why this program was superior to other habit-tracking programs, especially for individuals with significant attention problems.

Noom

• What is Noom? Noom is an app that monitors subscribers’ eating and exercise habits. A brief questionnaire at the sign-up stage captures information such as one’s weight loss goal, basic demographic information, and health data (e.g., history of eating disorder, diabetes, etc.). Afterwards, you are presented with a “behavioral profile” questionnaire about your thoughts and behaviors concerning eating behaviors and weight loss goals. The “behavioral science” element is especially prominent here, as it assesses internal and external triggers that influence eating and exercise - two influential elements in losing weight.
• When I would use this app: If I wanted a clear, evidence-based technique for tracking and achieving weight loss.

• Unique selling point: Personalized health coaching for weight loss.
• Why this strategy works: Unlike the other two products, Noom offers behavioral change for individuals specifically seeking to lose weight. Its website is clear and transparent about its health outcomes. Targeted medical support is available through Noom Med, which combines its health coaching program with telehealth services for more robust support concerning obesity control and treatment. The website offers interactive quizzes and calculators that give potential users and subscribers an interesting experience of its product. The part I appreciate the most about Noom is its emphasis on scientific evidence which supports its effectiveness in addressing users’ weight loss goals. Noom’s coaching training program (Noomversity) supports the standardization and qualification of coaches, and even offers more advanced training via Noom’s Health Coach Certification Program. Its research is clear and transparently shown on the website, inspiring confidence about the effectiveness of its products and services. I was especially impressed with Noom’s consistent emphasis on scientific evidence for its behavioral science methods, which felt more thorough and robust than the other two apps.

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How IoTs Can Enhance These Products

The remote monitoring of personal and environmental data can make behavior changing apps more effective. In particular, the potential for the nuanced personalization of these types of products, not to mention novelty (by the expansion of current programs and the creation of new ones) make IoTs a useful addition for enduring changes in thought and action. 

• Wearables can prompt users for self-report data on mood, symptoms, biometrics, activities, etc. with other passively-collected information (e.g., weather, steps, sleep, noise level, orientation, spending, etc.) in real time. Established behavior modification and personalized coaching programs can use this information to encourage user-specific feedback, such as exercise, diet, financial activity-based, etc. recommendations.
• Data can also be used to provide other feedback in real time throughout the day to encourage psychologically healthy behaviors, including mindfulness-based techniques.
• Within the work environment, the data can be integrated to assess optimal times of worker motivation, factors that influence productivity and explore ways in which autonomy, motivation and productivity can be enhanced by pooling data from individuals and groups within the organization. Not only can this improve worker-level performance, but this can also translate to team- and company-level change.

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Key Takeaways

• Many platforms and services possess the foundation or infrastructure to enable the use of IoTs in monitoring and modifying behavior across multiple industries, from leisure, work, finance, and healthcare.
• While there is significant potential in integrating IoTs with these types of programs, regulations concerning data privacy and protection still need to be defined. 
• There should be transparency and attention placed on educating users on evidence supporting any scientific claims about an app or service. This can also be a good opportunity to educate users on how to critically evaluate different programs.
• Combining effective product-to-IoT integration with robust user privacy standards will foster trust, safety and participation in these programs, which can support long lasting individual maintenance and changes in behavior.