Behavioural science in practice: Unlocking the magic
Jan 31, 2024
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Dr. Nicki Morley talks with Dan Bennett, Lead of UK Behavioural Science Practice at Ogilvy, about using behavioral science to unlock creativity. Topics include airport security, misconceptions about single nudges, and testing persuasion strategies in marketing.
Behavioral science can offer unique solutions to complex problems and should be integrated with other areas of expertise.
Testing assumptions and challenging beliefs leads to new insights and more effective persuasion strategies in behavioral science.
Deep dives
The Practical Side of Behavioral Science
Behavioral science is not just about being the enforcer of ideas, but rather inspiring creative thinking and showing multiple ways to change behavior. By embracing a divergent approach, behavioral science can offer unique solutions to complex problems and provide new perspectives on how people truly work. It is important to realize that behavioral science should not be isolated, but instead integrated with other areas of expertise to maximize its impact. Utilizing existing case studies and starting with small, tangible projects can help organizations see the value of behavioral science and build confidence in its potential.
The Need for Strong Insights and Connections
In order for behavioral science to be effective, it needs to be built on a strong foundation of insights and connectedness. One example is a project with Gatwick Airport, where understanding why people don't pack liquids correctly was crucial for improving security measures. By conducting qualitative research and identifying the key reasons behind this behavior, the airport was able to implement targeted interventions that addressed the specific issues. Behavioral science goes beyond surface-level solutions and requires a deep understanding of human behavior to truly solve complex problems.
The Importance of Testing and Avoiding Assumptions
One of the key tools in making behavioral science practical is testing assumptions. By challenging our own beliefs and questioning false assumptions, organizations can uncover new insights and develop more effective persuasion strategies. For instance, a project with KFC focused on reframing their one dollar chips. By testing different persuasion strategies, such as social norming, loss aversion, reciprocity, and anchoring, they discovered that anchoring was the most powerful and led to a significant increase in chip sales. The lesson here is to test and question assumptions rather than relying on guesswork.
Join Dr. Nicki Morley as she discusses with Dan Bennett, Lead of UK Behavioural Science Practice at Ogilvy, how to use behavioural science to unlock creativity. You will hear about practical examples including an interesting study on packing liquids at airports, cloud subscriptions, and how to use quick wins to increase others’ confidence in behaviour science.