Why do people behave in the way they do and how can we get them to change?
Drawing on a large body of empirical research, Lahlou shows that people's behaviour is predictable and shaped by 'installations' combining three sets of factors: what is technically possible (affordances of the environment), what people are able to do (embodied competences), and what monitors and controls behaviour (social regulation). These channel our behaviour and incline us to act one way or another in specific circumstances – in the way, for example, that when you travel by plane, the steps you take from the moment you check in to the moment you take your seat are fixed and predictable.
Lahlou shows how we can intervene at each of the three levels of installations to change human behaviour, and how we can combine them for greater effectiveness and direction, with a robust, step-by-step method. Because the method is so powerful, Lahlou also provides ethical guidelines and caveats about using these interventions to improve society, not just one's own business and interests.
This concise and authoritative book, packed with real-world examples, will be of interest to anyone concerned about how to tackle the difficult problems of today's world. At long last, a book that offers realistic, concrete steps for changing our ways.

- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
eBook - ePub
About this book
Trusted by 375,005 students
Access to over 1.5 million titles for a fair monthly price.
Study more efficiently using our study tools.
Information
Table of contents
- Cover
- Table of Contents
- Endorsements
- Title Page
- Copyright
- Introduction
- Part 1 Why people do what they do
- Part 2 How to change behaviour
- Conclusion
- Glossary
- Acknowledgements
- Index
- End User License Agreement
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can cancel anytime from the Subscription tab in your account settings on the Perlego website. Your subscription will stay active until the end of your current billing period. Learn how to cancel your subscription
No, books cannot be downloaded as external files, such as PDFs, for use outside of Perlego. However, you can download books within the Perlego app for offline reading on mobile or tablet. Learn how to download books offline
Perlego offers two plans: Essential and Complete
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.5M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
We are an online textbook subscription service, where you can get access to an entire online library for less than the price of a single book per month. With over 1.5 million books across 990+ topics, we’ve got you covered! Learn about our mission
Look out for the read-aloud symbol on your next book to see if you can listen to it. The read-aloud tool reads text aloud for you, highlighting the text as it is being read. You can pause it, speed it up and slow it down. Learn more about Read Aloud
Yes! You can use the Perlego app on both iOS and Android devices to read anytime, anywhere — even offline. Perfect for commutes or when you’re on the go.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app
Yes, you can access Why People Do What They Do by Saadi Lahlou in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in Psychology & Cognitive Psychology & Cognition. We have over 1.5 million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.