Use caution when applying behavioural science to policy.

Hans IJzerman, Neil A Lewis, Andrew K Przybylski, Netta Weinstein, Lisa DeBruine, Stuart J Ritchie, Simine Vazire, Patrick S Forscher, Richard D Morey, James D Ivory, Farid Anvari

November 2020 Nat Hum Behav

Synopsis of Social media discussions

Across the digital discussions, there is a clear focus on the importance of responsible application of behavioral science when informing policy. Words like ‘caution,’ ‘evidence,’ and ‘taxonomy’ reflect a serious tone and highlight the relevance of scientific rigor, while references to frameworks like NASA’s “technology readiness levels” exemplify efforts to deepen understanding and ensure impact. The tone suggests respect for behavioral science’s potential but also awareness of the risks, reinforcing the idea that thoughtful, ethical use is essential for meaningful policy outcomes.

A
Agreement
 Moderate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the importance of caution in applying behavioral science to policy, though some also express support for its value when used responsibly.

I
Interest
 High level of interest

Posts show high interest by referencing new publications, frameworks, and debates about evidence and ethical considerations.

E
Engagement
 High engagement

Many discussions involve detailed references to classifications, evidence levels, and theoretical approaches, indicating deep engagement.

I
Impact
 Moderate level of impact

Participants perceive the publication as having significant influence, emphasizing the necessity of careful evaluation to prevent harmful outcomes.

Social Mentions

YouTube

2 Videos

Twitter

36 Posts

Blogs

6 Articles

News

5 Articles

Metrics

Video Views

68

Total Likes

63

Extended Reach

985,130

Social Features

49

Timeline: Posts about article

Top Social Media Posts

Posts referencing the article

Global Variations in Social Mindfulness and Prosocial Behavior

Global Variations in Social Mindfulness and Prosocial Behavior

Behavioral science provides insights for policy, but caution is needed. Understanding context and individual differences is essential to avoid unintended outcomes and ensure responsible application of behavioral techniques.

Kai Hiraishi Lecture

December 21, 2021

35 views

Responsible Application of Behavioral Science in Policy Making

Responsible Application of Behavioral Science in Policy Making

Behavioral science offers valuable insights for shaping policies, but it's important to be careful and considerate to avoid unintended consequences. Policymakers should use behavioral science responsibly, ensuring thorough evaluation and ethical considerations before implementation.

Kai Hiraishi Lecture

January 11, 2022

33 views

  • tomokoba
    @tomokoba10 (Twitter)

    Evidence Readiness Level IJzerman, H., Lewis, N. A., Jr., Weinstein, N., DeBruine, L. M., Ritchie, S. J., Vazire, S., … Przybylski, A. K. (2020, April 27). Use caution when applying behavioural science to policy. https://t.co/uHjZgihRDf @OSFrameworkから
    view full post

    September 11, 2022

  • Joanna J Bryson
    @j2bryson (Twitter)

    Use caution when applying behavioural science to policy also via @CorneliaBetsch she says we should do theory-based as well as data-based policy (funnily, I moved to @thehertieschool because I'd done enough theory-based recommendations I wanted to test!) https://t.co/5aefiSdhyM
    view full post

    July 20, 2022

    3

  • Dr. Anna Henschel
    @AnnaHenschel (Twitter)

    * Use caution when applying behavioural science to policy https://t.co/wMfvfpMXs8 * Communicating What We Know and What Isn’t So: Science Communication in Psychology https://t.co/993YvqGR36 * The sciences of science communication https://t.co/u0OLoqW8p5
    view full post

    May 25, 2022

    3

  • Emmet Ó Briain
    @emmetatquiddity (Twitter)

    And very relevant to some of the points raised in the "Use caution when applying behavioural science to policy" paper listed at the top of this thread: https://t.co/kGW8BjH0n2
    view full post

    September 2, 2021

  • Hiraishi Kai
    @kaihiraishi (Twitter)

    Van Bavel et al. (2020). Using social and behavioural science to support COVID-19 pandemic response. NHB, 4(5), 460–471. https://t.co/YssiaOM365 IJzerman et al. (2020). Use caution when applying behavioural science to policy. NHB, 4(11), 1092–1094. https://t.co/dnGqLE7q1q
    view full post

    September 1, 2021

  • もむ
    @momentumyy (Twitter)

    ちなみに論文としてはこれのことかと思います。あまりに理想と遠すぎて，どうしたらいいんでしょうね。 Use caution when applying behavioural science to policy https://t.co/fbdB0r77Oe
    view full post

    July 28, 2021

  • Ishida the Brain Damaged
    @tbs_i (Twitter)

    RT @momentumyy: 個人的にはこれが良くも悪く(?)も印象に残ってるけど。心理学的知見の多くは政策決定に対してまだ全く使い物にならないレベルにあるという意見で，コロナでこの点が整理された転機かと。 Use caution when applying behaviou…
    view full post

    April 7, 2021

    4

  • Shinji R. Yamane
    @shinjiyamane (Twitter)

    RT @momentumyy: 個人的にはこれが良くも悪く(?)も印象に残ってるけど。心理学的知見の多くは政策決定に対してまだ全く使い物にならないレベルにあるという意見で，コロナでこの点が整理された転機かと。 Use caution when applying behaviou…
    view full post

    April 7, 2021

    4

  • HyeJin TAK
    @nDaLLs (Twitter)

    Use caution when applying behavioural science to policy. https://t.co/EcOW0J9Rp9
    view full post

    March 27, 2021

  • 土屋耕治@『人間関係の学び方』出版
    @KojiTsuchiya (Twitter)

    RT @momentumyy: 個人的にはこれが良くも悪く(?)も印象に残ってるけど。心理学的知見の多くは政策決定に対してまだ全く使い物にならないレベルにあるという意見で，コロナでこの点が整理された転機かと。 Use caution when applying behaviou…
    view full post

    December 20, 2020

    4

  • あまがさ｜臨床心理士・公認心理師
    @salmon_shock (Twitter)

    RT @momentumyy: 個人的にはこれが良くも悪く(?)も印象に残ってるけど。心理学的知見の多くは政策決定に対してまだ全く使い物にならないレベルにあるという意見で，コロナでこの点が整理された転機かと。 Use caution when applying behaviou…
    view full post

    December 19, 2020

    4

  • もむ
    @momentumyy (Twitter)

    個人的にはこれが良くも悪く(?)も印象に残ってるけど。心理学的知見の多くは政策決定に対してまだ全く使い物にならないレベルにあるという意見で，コロナでこの点が整理された転機かと。 Use caution when applying behavioural science to policy | Nature Human Behaviour https://t.co/fbdB0r77Oe
    view full post

    December 19, 2020

    11

    4

  • Blake
    @mimsty_ (Twitter)

    Use caution when applying behavioural science to policy https://t.co/yYmsIVLk82
    view full post

    December 3, 2020


  • @MJosling53 (Twitter)

    Use caution when applying behavioural science to policy https://t.co/7JjMAENhln
    view full post

    November 11, 2020

  • @parkvillegeek
    @ParkvilleGeek (Twitter)

    Use caution when applying behavioural science to policy | Nature Human Behaviour https://t.co/Ou8fCDEfaC
    view full post

    November 11, 2020

    1

  • Philosophers' Links
    @philosophylinks (Twitter)

    RT @briandavidearp: Use caution when applying behavioural science to policy https://t.co/yRwTCqWEVh
    view full post

    October 22, 2020

    6

  • RADIO GRAVEYARD, G.C.R.
    @DIGITALDECODED1 (Twitter)

    RT @briandavidearp: Use caution when applying behavioural science to policy https://t.co/yRwTCqWEVh
    view full post

    October 14, 2020

    6

  • Philosophers' Links
    @philosophylinks (Twitter)

    RT @briandavidearp: Use caution when applying behavioural science to policy https://t.co/yRwTCqWEVh
    view full post

    October 13, 2020

    6

  • Tomasz Drabowicz
    @tomdrabowicz (Twitter)

    RT @briandavidearp: Use caution when applying behavioural science to policy https://t.co/yRwTCqWEVh
    view full post

    October 13, 2020

    6

  • Brian D. Earp, Ph.D.
    @briandavidearp (Twitter)

    Use caution when applying behavioural science to policy https://t.co/yRwTCqWEVh
    view full post

    October 13, 2020

    8

    6

  • Time4PlannedOptimism
    @djareckon (Twitter)

    RT @CornellUCOMM: New publication from @NeilLewisJr: "Use caution when applying behavioural science to policy" in Nature Human Behaviour, w…
    view full post

    October 12, 2020

    3

  • Hu Chuan-Peng | @hcp4715.bsky.social
    @hcp4715 (Twitter)

    RT @NatureHumBehav: Use caution when applying behavioural science to policy, argue @hansijzerman et al., who offer a taxonomy of Evidence R…
    view full post

    October 12, 2020

    9

  • Nature Energy
    @NatureEnergyJnl (Twitter)

    RT @NatureHumBehav: Use caution when applying behavioural science to policy, argue @hansijzerman et al., who offer a taxonomy of Evidence R…
    view full post

    October 12, 2020

    9

  • Giovanni Salum
    @gsalumjr (Twitter)

    RT @NatureHumBehav: Use caution when applying behavioural science to policy, argue @hansijzerman et al., who offer a taxonomy of Evidence R…
    view full post

    October 12, 2020

    9

  • Sara Rafael Almeida
    @SaraRafaAlmeida (Twitter)

    RT @NatureHumBehav: Use caution when applying behavioural science to policy, argue @hansijzerman et al., who offer a taxonomy of Evidence R…
    view full post

    October 12, 2020

    9

  • David Lusseau
    @lusseau (Twitter)

    RT @NatureHumBehav: Use caution when applying behavioural science to policy, argue @hansijzerman et al., who offer a taxonomy of Evidence R…
    view full post

    October 12, 2020

    9

  • Rosy
    @Rosy_Favicchio (Twitter)

    RT @NatureHumBehav: Use caution when applying behavioural science to policy, argue @hansijzerman et al., who offer a taxonomy of Evidence R…
    view full post

    October 12, 2020

    9

  • Nature Human Behaviour
    @NatureHumBehav (Twitter)

    Use caution when applying behavioural science to policy, argue @hansijzerman et al., who offer a taxonomy of Evidence Readiness Levels to guide applications https://t.co/q2Mb7R1g6T https://t.co/nIIsao4w8Y
    view full post

    October 12, 2020

    25

    9

  • Oxford Psychiatry
    @OxPsychiatry (Twitter)

    Use caution when applying behavioural science to policy. https://t.co/Calo8ML2OX
    view full post

    October 11, 2020

    2

    1

  • Thread Reader App
    @threadreaderapp (Twitter)

    @maelorin Salam, the unroll you asked for: @hansijzerman: Our paper "Use caution when applying behavioural science to policy" is now available online… https://t.co/HZwWPuimy0 See you soon.
    view full post

    October 10, 2020

  • Bipartisan Alliance
    @jorgemata (Twitter)

    Use caution when applying behavioural science to policy https://t.co/XT7qeMSEqQ
    view full post

    October 10, 2020

  • Brian Dean
    @bdean_ (Twitter)

    RT @PsychoSchmitt: Use caution when applying behavioural science to policy...approach for assessing the quality of evidence before applicat…
    view full post

    October 9, 2020

    1

  • David Schmitt
    @PsychoSchmitt (Twitter)

    Use caution when applying behavioural science to policy...approach for assessing the quality of evidence before application and dissemination...inspiration from the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s ‘technology readiness levels’ https://t.co/ZTWLMgbBFu https://t.co/ybu9ox9CBv
    view full post

    October 9, 2020

    3

    1

  • Benjamin Z Houlton
    @BenHoulton (Twitter)

    RT @CornellUCOMM: New publication from @NeilLewisJr: "Use caution when applying behavioural science to policy" in Nature Human Behaviour, w…
    view full post

    October 9, 2020

    3

  • Cornell CALS
    @CornellCALS (Twitter)

    RT @CornellUCOMM: New publication from @NeilLewisJr: "Use caution when applying behavioural science to policy" in Nature Human Behaviour, w…
    view full post

    October 9, 2020

    3

  • Cornell Dept of COMM
    @CornellUCOMM (Twitter)

    New publication from @NeilLewisJr: "Use caution when applying behavioural science to policy" in Nature Human Behaviour, which introduces a taxonomy for researchers and policymakers to use when conducting and evaluating research for use in public policy. https://t.co/KG2Z0SvCwW
    view full post

    October 9, 2020

    7

    3

Abstract Synopsis

  • Behavioral science offers valuable insights for shaping policies, but it's important to be careful and considerate to avoid unintended consequences.
  • Applying behavioral techniques without fully understanding the context or individual differences can lead to ineffective or even harmful outcomes.
  • Policymakers should use behavioral science responsibly, ensuring thorough evaluation and ethical considerations before implementation.