An accessible introduction to the behavioral insights approach, which applies evidence about human behavior to practical problems.
The definitive introduction to the behavioral insights approach, which applies evidence about human behavior to practical problems.
Our behavior is strongly influenced by factors that lie outside our conscious awareness, although we tend to underestimate the power of this ""automatic"" side of our behavior. As a result, governments make ineffective policies, businesses create bad products, and individuals make unrealistic plans. In contrast, the behavioral insights approach applies evidence about actual human behavior-rather than assumptions about it-to practical problems. This volume in the MIT Press Essential Knowledge series, written by two leading experts in the field, offers an accessible introduction to behavioral insights, describing core features, origins, and practical examples.
These insights have opened up new ways of addressing some of the biggest challenges faced by societies, changing the way that governments, businesses, and nonprofits work in the process. This book shows how the approach is grounded in a concern with practical problems, the use of evidence about human behavior to address those problems, and experimentation to evaluate the impact of the solutions. It gives an overview of the approach's origins in psychology and behavioral economics, its early adoption by the UK's pioneering ""nudge unit,"" and its recent expansion into new areas. The book also provides examples from across different policy areas and guidance on how to run a behavioral insights project. Finally, the book outlines the limitations and ethical implications of the approach, and what the future holds for this fast-moving area.
By:
Michael Hallsworth,
Elspeth Kirkman
Imprint: Massachusetts Inst of Tec
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions:
Height: 178mm,
Width: 127mm,
Weight: 368g
ISBN: 9780262539401
ISBN 10: 0262539403
Pages: 248
Publication Date: 17 November 2020
Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Series Foreword vii Preface ix Acknowledgments xiii 1 Introducing Behavioral Insights 1 2 The History and Thought behind Behavioral Insights 25 3 Examples of Behavioral Insights in Practice 71 4 Applying Behavioral Insights 81 5 Criticisms, Considerations, and Limitations 123 6 The Future of Behavioral Insights 167 Glossary 197 Notes 203 Further Reading 219 Index 221
Michael Hallsworth, PhD, is Managing Director of the Behavioral Insights Team (BIT) North America. He has held positions at Columbia University and Imperial College London. Elspeth Kirkman is Senior Director for Social Policy in BIT's London office.
Reviews for Behavioral Insights
A brilliant book, packed with wisdom and insights, and a ton of fun to boot. The best one-stop shop, if you're interested in behavioral science, and in how to improve the world. Cass R. Sunstein, Robert Walmsley University Professor, and coauthor of Nudge
