Worklife with Adam Grant
The science of fighting crime with Nick Cowen
Nov 19, 2024
Nick Cowen, a criminologist from the University of Lincoln, dives into the fascinating interplay between crime prevention and social norms. He reveals how cultural shifts have dramatically reduced drunk driving incidents in the UK. The conversation explores the psychological factors that contribute to criminal behavior and the importance of community perceptions in shaping societal change. With engaging personal anecdotes, Cowen illustrates the complexities of human choices and the significance of trust in cultivating safer societies.
32:57
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Quick takeaways
- Cultural perceptions significantly shape behaviors like drunk driving, with community stigma leading to widespread shifts against the practice.
- Effective policymaking and law enforcement enhance societal attitudes towards drunk driving by increasing the visibility and consequences of such actions.
Deep dives
The Importance of Cultural Change in Reducing Drunk Driving
Cultural perceptions significantly influence the prevalence of drunk driving behaviors. When fewer individuals engage in drunk driving, it becomes seen as deviant within a community, leading to a broader cultural shift against the practice. This change emphasizes how perceptions of social norms can be malleable, suggesting that when certain actions are discouraged publicly, individuals begin to internalize these norms. The effectiveness of this cultural change is evident in the notable reductions in drunk driving incidents in places where such stigma has been successfully imposed.
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