Behavioural Science Explained

Automation bias is the human tendency to over-rely on automated system recommendations, even when incorrect, leading to errors of commission or omission. Explored across systematic reviews and domain-specific studies in public sector, national security, healthcare, and aviation, this bias shows mixed prevalence, yet even low levels carry significant risks. Psychological roots like cognitive lazine...

The bandwagon effect is defined as an individual's propensity to adopt the viewpoint of the majority, even if their own differs, reflecting a desire to "join the crowd". It also describes adoption processes in networks driven by pressure from prior adopters, where a majority's action signals something is good, influencing both individual and organizational decisions. We extensively review studies...

The Bystander effect, a phenomenon in which individuals are less likely to help in emergencies when others are present. One text details a computer model simulating this effect in cells exposed to radiation, while others examine the bystander effect in human contexts, such as workplace ethics and responses to violence. Research discussed includes studies showing diffusion of responsibility, plural...

We explore the concept of ego depletion, a theory positing that self-control is a limited resource that diminishes with use, impacting subsequent self-regulatory efforts. The articles examine the theory's supporting evidence and critiques, including the role of motivation and the impact of depletion on various behaviours such as eating, spending, and social interactions. Debate surrounds the r...

We examine cognitive dissonance theory, exploring its origins, mechanisms, and impact on mass communication, particularly in advertising and political messaging. It also discusses strategies for managing and mitigating dissonance in media contexts and suggests avenues for future research. The second source investigates how customer disconfirmation bias—the discrepancy between expectations and post...

Confirmation bias, a cognitive bias where individuals favour information confirming pre-existing beliefs, and its counterpart, disconfirmation bias, where contradictory information is more critically examined. The articles examine the impact of these biases on various aspects of life, including decision-making, political viewpoints, and even rating systems. One text specifically analyses how disco...

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's concept of "flow," a state of deep engagement and immersion in an activity. They detail flow's characteristics, benefits (including enhanced emotional regulation, happiness, and creativity), and neurological underpinnings. Practical strategies for achieving flow are also discussed, along with its applications in various fields like sports, education, and...

Here we covered her YouTube interview with Angela Duckworth and her book  Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance .  Both sources discuss Duckworth's research on grit , a combination of passion and perseverance, as a key factor in achieving success. The interview explores her personal background and how her upbringing influenced her work, while the book excerpts showcase her research findi...

Through the concept of social facilitation, we examine how the presence of others impacts individual performance. One text offers a general overview of social facilitation, including its definition, causes, and examples in various contexts. Another investigates the effect of a problem-based learning environment on nursing students' motivation, comparing it to conventional teaching methods. A f...

Attribution theory We examine its historical development and applications across various fields. The theory posits that individuals seek to understand the causes of events, particularly successes and failures, influencing subsequent emotions and behaviours. Several sources analyse how these attributions are made, highlighting biases and contextual factors. Applications are explored in education, c...

We explore Resource Dependence Theory (RDT), examining its application in various organisational contexts. One text offers a managerial overview of RDT, highlighting merging, alliances, and co-optation strategies with examples from the public and non-profit sectors. Another conducts a meta-analysis of RDT, investigating the effects of different inter-organisational arrangements on autonomy, legiti...

We explore expectancy-value theory within various educational contexts. One study investigates the theory's application to academic procrastination amongst undergraduates, examining relationships between motivation, procrastination, and achievement. Another replicates and extends a study on pre-service teachers' technology acceptance, integrating expectancy-value theory with the Technology...

We cover several texts to explore Self-perception theory. One study uses principal component analysis to examine shopper behaviour in malls, categorising shoppers based on their motivations. Another investigates why consumers reject aesthetically unattractive produce, attributing this to negative self-perceptions triggered by the imagined consumption of such produce. A further study demonstrates a...

Hersey-Blanchard Situational Leadership Model, a theory proposing that effective leadership necessitates adapting one's style to the follower's competence and commitment level. Different sources explore the model's history, its four leadership styles (Telling, Selling, Participating, Delegating), and how these styles correspond to various follower maturity levels (often denoted as R1-R...

Examining implicit bias, its presence in various contexts. One study investigates implicit bias in academic promotion committees, revealing how implicit biases influence decisions, particularly when the existence of bias is denied. Another study focuses on implicit gender stereotypes in children's perceptions of math and language abilities, finding counter-stereotypical biases. Additional sour...

Leon Festinger's Social Comparison Theory.  Festinger's original 1954 work  posits a fundamental human drive to evaluate one's opinions and abilities, often using social comparisons with similar others.  Subsequent research , detailed in the Crusius et al. (2022) review, expands on this, examining the motivations behind social comparison (self-evaluation, enhancement, improvement), the...

We discuss environmental psychology, examining the complex interplay between individuals and their surroundings. The first source, excerpts from  Environmental Psychology  by Gifford, Steg, and Reser, presents various theoretical perspectives on human-environment interactions, covering topics such as personal space, crowding, pro-environmental behaviour, and the psychological impacts of urban and...

We explore consumer behaviour using the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) and its extensions. Several studies apply TRA to predict intentions and behaviours across various contexts, including health choices, food tourism, cross-border e-commerce, and aerobic activity adoption. Analyses often incorporate variables such as attitudes, subjective norms, perceived value, satisfaction, and perceived risk,...

We explore sociocultural theories of learning and identity formation, primarily drawing upon the work of Vygotsky and Mead. Several sources examine Vygotsky's zone of proximal development (ZPD) and its implications for dynamic assessment, contrasting this approach with traditional static methods. Other sources investigate how sociocultural contexts shape learning in educational settings, parti...

We examine various aspects of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs). One systematic review investigates the demographic characteristics of participants in US-based MBI trials, revealing a significant lack of diversity and highlighting the need for greater inclusivity. Another review synthesises the effectiveness of MBIs for obesity, employing effect size calculations to assess their impact. A fur...

We discuss Construal Level Theory (CLT), examining how individuals' mental representations of events shift based on temporal distance. Studies investigate how near-future events are perceived concretely, focusing on details and feasibility, while distant-future events are viewed abstractly, emphasising desirability and high-level goals. Research across various domains, including consumer choic...

We examine the effectiveness of behaviour change techniques (BCTs) within mobile phone apps designed to improve health behaviours. One study focuses on physical activity apps in China, assessing their quality and the BCTs employed. Another investigates BCTs in self-harm apps for young people, identifying prevalent techniques and their theoretical underpinnings. A third study conducts a meta-analys...

Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. We examine their influence on learning and performance in various contexts. One text details numerous classroom strategies designed to enhance intrinsic motivation by increasing student autonomy and providing opportunities for self-evaluation and goal setting. Another focuses on the complexities of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, particularly regarding rewar...

We cover multiple sources to discuss Social Norms Theory. First source presents a qualitative study on online child sexual exploitation and abuse (OCSEA) in the Philippines, revealing the prevalence, perpetrators, victims, and community norms that enable such activities. The second source explores entertainment-education (EE) initiatives globally, examining diverse approaches, methodologies (like...

We cover the application of self-regulation theory across various behaviours. One study examines its role in medication adherence, finding partial support and highlighting additional influential factors dependent on regimen complexity. Another investigates its predictive power regarding university students' binge drinking, demonstrating a significant influence of intention and habit. A third s...