Behavioral science should start by assuming people are reasonable

Jens Koed Madsen¹, Lee de-Wit², Peter Ayton³, Cameron Brick⁴, Laura de-Moliere⁵, Carla J Groom⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychological and Behavioural Sciences, London School of Economics and Political Science, Houghton Street, WC2A 2AE, London, UK.
² Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, CB2, 3EB, Cambridge, UK. Electronic address: lhd26@cam.ac.uk.
³ Centre for Decision Research, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Lane, LS2 9JT, Leeds, UK.
⁴ Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 129, 1001, NK, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Holsetgata 31, 2318 Hamar, Norway.
⁵ Decision-context, Am Riedlerberg 5, 83708 Kreuth, Germany.
⁶ UK Department for Work & Pensions, Human-Centred Design Science Division, Caxton House, Tothill St, London SW1H 9NA, UK.

PMID: 38763803
DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2024.04.010

Free article

Behavioral science should start by assuming people are reasonable

Jens Koed Madsen et al. Trends Cogn Sci. 2024 Jul.

Free article

. 2024 Jul;28(7):583-585.

doi: 10.1016/j.tics.2024.04.010. Epub 2024 May 18.

Authors

Jens Koed Madsen¹, Lee de-Wit², Peter Ayton³, Cameron Brick⁴, Laura de-Moliere⁵, Carla J Groom⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychological and Behavioural Sciences, London School of Economics and Political Science, Houghton Street, WC2A 2AE, London, UK.
² Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, CB2, 3EB, Cambridge, UK. Electronic address: lhd26@cam.ac.uk.
³ Centre for Decision Research, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Lane, LS2 9JT, Leeds, UK.
⁴ Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 129, 1001, NK, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Holsetgata 31, 2318 Hamar, Norway.
⁵ Decision-context, Am Riedlerberg 5, 83708 Kreuth, Germany.
⁶ UK Department for Work & Pensions, Human-Centred Design Science Division, Caxton House, Tothill St, London SW1H 9NA, UK.

PMID: 38763803
DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2024.04.010

Abstract

Should policymaking assume humans are irrational? Using empirical, theoretical, and philosophical arguments, we suggest a more useful frame is that human behavior is reasonable. Through identifying goals and systemic factors shaping behavior, we suggest that assuming people are reasonable enables behavioral science to be more effective in shaping public policy.

Keywords: behavioral science; decision making; public policy.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of interests The authors declare no competing interests.

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Behavioral science should start by assuming people are reasonable

Affiliations

Behavioral science should start by assuming people are reasonable

Authors

Affiliations

Abstract

Conflict of interest statement

References

Publication types

MeSH terms

LinkOut - more resources

Full Text Sources