How Smart Objects Can Support Reflections on Health Behavior Change

Abstract

It is difficult for people to find strategies that fit their needs for changing behaviors. This project investigates how individuals can be supported to reflect on their health behaviors through the use of technology. Through various research and design methods, the project provides a comprehensive overview of the literature on reflections, how technology can support them, how they can assist in the behavior change process, and how to design for reflections. The identification of nine core reflection needs and the creation of a design space lead to a design concept and a prototype. The project reveals that helping people to reflect is a promising approach to helping them change behaviors. There are many ways to design for reflection, and the Reflection Card created in this project successfully helps people to do so. Reflections not only lead to self-insights, but they are also desirable due to their inherent qualities of slowness, deliberateness, and inefficiency. In a world designed around efficiency and speed, it is a refreshing approach to support people in their behavior change process.