var contact= new Backbone.Model(); var ContactView = Backbone.View.extend({ initialize:function(){ //listen to change event on model this.listenTo(contact,'change:firstName',this.render); }, render:function(){console.log('render a change, data changed');} }); new ContactView(); //change event, fired because we are only listening for firstName contact.set('firstName','john'); contact.set('phone','222-222-2222'); //no change event trigger