Welcome to the November newsletter!

 

In this issue you'll find:

  • Applied BeSci repository of case studies, learning resources and job specs

  • A magazine full of interviews with some of the biggest researchers in behavioural science

  • A long-form article on whether or not nudging is dead

 

Elsewhere on the internet:

  • Neurofied has create an open access cognitive bias database which can be a useful resource for as a reference tool. (Disclaimer: no sources cited)

  • This short article on the competitive advange of systematic decision making makes the point that creating a decision architecture with tools and frameworks improves decision making - this is the key reason why I advocate for using logic models like the Behaviour Change Wheel!

  • In the Behavioral Scientist, "Six Prescriptions for Applied Behavioral Science as It Comes of Age" is also worth reading

     

I also love this video with Dr Laura de Moliere, former head of behavioural science at UK Cabinet Office because I wholeheartedly share her view that once you start looking at problems through the lens of behaviour, a whole new world opens up and you "see the problem in high resolution".

 

As she notes, there is no one way to do behavioural science and the true power of BeSci isn't about nudges or RCTs, but analysing problems from a behavioural perspective: what behaviours are we seeing, why are they a problem, what behaviours would we want to see instead and why are people not doing them already? The "magic" of BeSci lies in being able to empathise with a target audience - if you think of their behaviour as irrational, it simply means you haven't fully understood their context and the logic underneath their observable behaviour.

 

Finally, I also share her vision that behavioural science should be made accessible to everyone, which is why I created the repository of resources for how behavioural science can be applied in the private sector - you can find it below.

 

And if you don't have plans for this evening yet, tune into the Action Design Network "The Future of Behavioural Science" event 6pm GMT/7pm CET/1pm EST!

 

Until next month,

Elina

Need to find BeSci case studies, applications or learning resources?


I have created a Miro board to serve as a reference for different people working in or interested in applying behavioural science in the commercial sector for these topics:

  • examples of how behavioural science can be applied in different domains

  • ideas for demonstrating the value of behavioural science to stakeholders or clients

  • ideas for career options to pursue after a BeSci degree and what skills might be useful for different types of jobs

  • inspiration for a job description when recruiting for a new BeSci role

  • ideas on how to apply behavioural science in the area you are working in or want to specialise in after academic studies

 

Read more here

 

Want to read the stories of Dan Ariely, Robert Cialdini, Gerg Gigerenzer and more?


Science doesn't exist in a vacuum - every field of research has a historical context and real people behind the scientific articles we read. If you're interested in the stories behind some of the biggest names in behavioural economics, now you can!


Ten years ago I set up a blog called InDecision to have a platform for young researchers in judgment and decision-making psychology to reach a wider audience and as a part of that, we also did a series of interviews with many famous researchers in the field.

 

The blog has been inactive for some years and one day it will disappear, but the interviews felt like an important (if very niche!) piece of history so I've collected them into a document that can be downloaded and shared.

 

Read more here

 

 

Much ado about the demise of nudging
 

I have been meaning to write about the nudge meta-analysis for several months, but since I had quite a few things to say, I kept putting it off. A subtle nudge from someone on LinkedIn finally prompted me to arrange my thoughts.

It's now been read over 2000 times so it seems like the debate is alive and well!

 

Read it here

 

Theory-informed or theory-inspired behaviour change?


I want to highlight a great article from Sarah Osman where she explains the reason why both broad AND deep knowledge of the BeSci theoretical landscape as well as how to apply it are crucially important for practitioners.

 

Read on

Get in touch!
Square Peg Insight
elina@squarepeginsight.com

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