Latest Insights
The Pioneer Effect: A Bold New Effect Where No Effect Has Been Before
In the quest for originality, behavioural scientists often create new effects and frameworks—even when existing ones suffice. Dubbed the 'Pioneer Effect' phenomenon (with a tongue firmly in cheek) highlights the challenges of overlapping constructs, fragmented research, and duplicated effort. This article explores why psychology’s proliferation of terms isn’t just confusing—it could be holding the discipline back, and what we can do to course-correct.
Flipping the Switch: How Embracing Cognitive Scarcity Can Brighten Energy Poverty
Energy poverty traps vulnerable households in a cycle of financial strain and limited decision-making, often exacerbated by cognitive scarcity. Behavioral insights offer transformative approaches to energy policies, simplifying access to aid and reducing mental burdens. Using Cyprus as a case study, practical, low-cost solutions like framing strategies, reducing hassle factors, and leveraging social norms emerge as key strategies. Aligning policy design with human behavior can promote equitable participation and a greener future.
How to Create Dashboards That Boost User Engagement
Great dashboards don’t just display data—they drive action. Whether it’s tracking fitness, managing projects, or learning new skills, the best dashboards use behavioral science to go beyond numbers. They tap into user psychology to inspire engagement and ensure every user feels progress. Explore real-life examples that got it right.
Reimagining Behavioral Science: Reflections on Equity from the 2024 Presidential Campaign
Behavioral science has continued to evolve, but there remains a need to shift our focus beyond individual-focused nudges toward a more systemic approach. In Antiracist by Design, we begin to explore how the field of Applied Behavioral Science can identify the impact of social and economic contexts as we explore opportunities to promote more equitable, impactful interventions in the field.
Stress Less, Achieve More: Boosting Women’s STEM Performance
Gender gaps in STEM fields are far from resolved. High-stakes exams are part of the journey, and several studies prove that women tend to underperform. Why does this happen? How can the gap be closed? Despite accumulated evidence, efforts still need to be made to shed light on this issue. An intervention performed by Ceibal’s Behavioral Insights Lab in Uruguay showed that a stress management exercise during a high-stakes exam can enhance women's performance.
What Behavioral Scientists Should Know about Hofstede’s Cultural Framework
Geert Hofstede revolutionized cultural research in the 1970s with a massive survey of IBM employees worldwide, using factor analysis to identify six key cultural dimensions. While his framework remains influential, it's essential for behavioral scientists to explore beyond these dimensions, acknowledge within-country diversity, and leverage modern research methods and technology. This nuanced approach can lead to more accurate and culturally sensitive insights in a rapidly evolving global landscape.