Ken Resnicow ^1* Scott E. Page ¹

¹ University of Michigan

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: kresnic{at}umich.edu.

	Abstract

Public health research and practice have been guided by a cognitive, rational paradigm where inputs produce linear, predictable changes in outputs. However, the conceptual and statistical assumptions underlying this paradigm may be flawed. In particular, this perspective does not adequately account for nonlinear and quantum influences on human behavior. We propose that health behavior change is better understood through the lens of chaos theory and complex adaptive systems. Key relevant principles include that behavior change (1) is often a quantum event; (2) can resemble a chaotic process that is sensitive to initial conditions, highly variable, and difficult to predict; and (3) occurs within a complex adaptive system with multiple components, where results are often greater than the sum of their parts.

Key Words: Health Education, Health Promotion

This article has been cited by other articles:

				G. Joseph, N. J. Burke, N. Tuason, J. C. Barker, and R. J. Pasick Perceived Susceptibility to Illness and Perceived Benefits of Preventive Care: An Exploration of Behavioral Theory Constructs in a Transcultural Context Health Educ Behav, October 1, 2009; 36(5_suppl): 71S - 90S. [Abstract] [PDF]

				E. N. Peters and J. R. Hughes The day-to-day process of stopping or reducing smoking: A prospective study of self-changers Nicotine Tob Res, September 1, 2009; 11(9): 1083 - 1092. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. R. Tortolero, K. Popham, and P. D. Jacobson Improving Information on Public Health Law Best Practices for Obesity Prevention and Control J. Law Med. Ethics, June 1, 2009; 37(s1): 99 - 109. [PDF]