BICEPS is a human social behavior model developed by Paloma Medina. Similar to SCARF it applies an evolutionary lens to understanding human social behavior. BICEPS argues that 6 core needs are at the heart of human social behavior. Most behavior is then done in pursuit of those needs, and when threaten a fight-freeze-flight response is triggered.
It can therefore be used in:
- Designing social interactions to minimize threat/triggers
- Managing interaction effectively when they take place. For example, by self-reflection, identification of the “threat”, and choosing response over reaction.
- Reflecting/retrospecting on an interaction to identify what may have led to a sub-optimal outcome.
As opposed to SCARF, Medina open-sourced BICPES under the Creative Commons license. She’s also
BICPES stands for:
- Belonging (SCARF: Relatedness) — community, community well-being, connection
- Improvement/Progress — progress towards purpose, improving the lives of others, personal growth
- Choice (SCARF: Autonomy) — choice, autonomy, decision-making
- Equality/Fairness (SCARF: Fairness) — access to resources, access to information, equal reciprocity, fair decisions
- Predictability (SCARF: Uncertainty) — resources, time, future challenges, direction
- Status (SCARF: Status) — status, visibility, recognition
