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Table 1 Definitions of behaviour and each element of the COM-B model [22]

From: Ethical preparedness in health research and care: the role of behavioural approaches

Capability

Physical capability

Psychological capability

An attribute of a person that together with opportunity makes a behaviour possible or facilitates it

A person’s physique and musculoskeletal functioning

Mental functioning: for example, skills, understanding, memory, knowledge and behavioural regulation

Opportunity

Physical opportunity

Social opportunity

An attribute of an environmental system that together with capability makes a behaviour possible or facilitates it e.g., social, political, cultural factors

Inanimate parts of the environmental system and time. For example, financial, material resources and environmental context

Other people and organisations. For instance, culture, social norms and social influences. e.g., ‘not my responsibility’, ‘others are not doing it, why should I?’

Motivation

Reflective motivation

Automatic motivation

An aggregate of mental processes that energise and direct behaviour

Conscious thought processes. For example, plans, evaluations, identity, beliefs in capability, goals, beliefs about consequences

Habitual, instinctive, drive-related and affective processes. For example, desires, habits and emotion regulation