Difference between revisions of "Behavioural Insights Team"

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The team consists of academics and civil servants led by Dr [[David Halpern]]. "Halpern identified the origins of what is now BIT in "deregulatory thrust", in part linked to the Better Regulation Executive. He understands the team's role as raising awareness of "less cognitive, less familiar approaches" as alternatives to legislation, pricing mechanisms and advertising and social marketing".<ref> House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee Publications [http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201012/ldselect/ldsctech/179/17908.htm#n125 CHAPTER 5: THE GOVERNMENT APPROACH TO CHANGING BEHAVIOUR] accessed 21st September 2011 </ref> {{Health badge}}  [[The Independent]] reports that the unit "draws inspiration from the Chicago University professor [[Richard H Thaler]] and his colleague [[Cass Sunstein]], whose book ''Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth and Happiness'' is required reading for Conservative front-benchers" <ref> Martin Hickman 3rd January 2011, The Independent [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/nudge-nudge-wink-wink-how-the-government-wants-to-change-the-way-we-think-2174655.html Nudge, nudge, wink wink... How the Government wants to change the way we think] accessed 21st September 2011 </ref>  
 
The team consists of academics and civil servants led by Dr [[David Halpern]]. "Halpern identified the origins of what is now BIT in "deregulatory thrust", in part linked to the Better Regulation Executive. He understands the team's role as raising awareness of "less cognitive, less familiar approaches" as alternatives to legislation, pricing mechanisms and advertising and social marketing".<ref> House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee Publications [http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201012/ldselect/ldsctech/179/17908.htm#n125 CHAPTER 5: THE GOVERNMENT APPROACH TO CHANGING BEHAVIOUR] accessed 21st September 2011 </ref> {{Health badge}}  [[The Independent]] reports that the unit "draws inspiration from the Chicago University professor [[Richard H Thaler]] and his colleague [[Cass Sunstein]], whose book ''Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth and Happiness'' is required reading for Conservative front-benchers" <ref> Martin Hickman 3rd January 2011, The Independent [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/nudge-nudge-wink-wink-how-the-government-wants-to-change-the-way-we-think-2174655.html Nudge, nudge, wink wink... How the Government wants to change the way we think] accessed 21st September 2011 </ref>  
 
The projects undertaken by the group will not involve regulation but will promote individual choices and working with corporate and other private sector partners. <ref> Cabinet Office [http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/content/applying-behavioural-insights Applying Behavioural Insights] accessed 21st September 2011 </ref>
 
The projects undertaken by the group will not involve regulation but will promote individual choices and working with corporate and other private sector partners. <ref> Cabinet Office [http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/content/applying-behavioural-insights Applying Behavioural Insights] accessed 21st September 2011 </ref>
 
 
  
 
==Projects==  
 
==Projects==  
 
{{Template:Alcohol badge}}
 
{{Template:Alcohol badge}}
 
*Targeting obesity  
 
*Targeting obesity  
*Promoting organ donation
+
*Promoting organ donation by using a system of 'promoted choice' where new applicants for driving licences and replacement licences will be asked to become organ donors in a bid to increase donor numbers. <ref> Cabinet Office [http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/applying-behavioural-insight-health Applying Behavioural Insights to Health] accessed 21st September 2011 </ref> 
*Smoking cessation
+
*Smoking cessation will be encouraged in a pilot run by [[Boots]] and supported by the [[Behavioural Insights Team]] and the [[Department of Health]] will encourage smokers to make a commitment to stop smoking.  Participants will be tested to see if they are smoke free and subsequently rewarded. <ref> Cabinet Office [http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/applying-behavioural-insight-health Applying Behavioural Insights to Health] accessed 21st September 2011 </ref> 
 
*Car labelling
 
*Car labelling
 
*Food hygiene
 
*Food hygiene

Revision as of 12:37, 22 September 2011

Foodspin badge.png This article is part of the Foodspin project of Spinwatch.

The Behavioural Insights Team was established by the Conservative and Liberal Democrats UK coalition government in 2010 to encourage individuals to adopt behaviour that benefits themselves and wider society. The team will devise ways to promote preferred behaviour by using behavioural economics and behavioural science in policy making.[1] There are plans to let the unit run for two years, winding down in summer 2012. [2] Based in the Cabinet Office the Behavioural Insights Team steering group is chaired by Cabinet Secretary Gus O'Donnell who claims that the work done by the group "supports the Coalition Government’s commitment to reducing regulatory burdens on business and society, and achieving its goals as cheaply and effectively as possible" [3]

The team consists of academics and civil servants led by Dr David Halpern. "Halpern identified the origins of what is now BIT in "deregulatory thrust", in part linked to the Better Regulation Executive. He understands the team's role as raising awareness of "less cognitive, less familiar approaches" as alternatives to legislation, pricing mechanisms and advertising and social marketing".[4]

FirstAid.png This article is part of the Health Portal project of Spinwatch.

The Independent reports that the unit "draws inspiration from the Chicago University professor Richard H Thaler and his colleague Cass Sunstein, whose book Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth and Happiness is required reading for Conservative front-benchers" [5]

The projects undertaken by the group will not involve regulation but will promote individual choices and working with corporate and other private sector partners. [6]

Projects

Alcohol badge.jpg This article is part of the Spinwatch public health oriented Alcohol Portal project.
  • Targeting obesity
  • Promoting organ donation by using a system of 'promoted choice' where new applicants for driving licences and replacement licences will be asked to become organ donors in a bid to increase donor numbers. [7]
  • Smoking cessation will be encouraged in a pilot run by Boots and supported by the Behavioural Insights Team and the Department of Health will encourage smokers to make a commitment to stop smoking. Participants will be tested to see if they are smoke free and subsequently rewarded. [8]
  • Car labelling
  • Food hygiene
  • Charitable giving


People

Gus O'Donnell | Oliver Letwin | Henry Ashworth | David Halpern |


References

  1. Cabinet Office Applying Behavioural Insights accessed 21st September 2011
  2. House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee Publications CHAPTER 5: THE GOVERNMENT APPROACH TO CHANGING BEHAVIOUR accessed 21st September 2011
  3. Cabinet Office Applying Behavioural Insights accessed 21st September 2011
  4. House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee Publications CHAPTER 5: THE GOVERNMENT APPROACH TO CHANGING BEHAVIOUR accessed 21st September 2011
  5. Martin Hickman 3rd January 2011, The Independent Nudge, nudge, wink wink... How the Government wants to change the way we think accessed 21st September 2011
  6. Cabinet Office Applying Behavioural Insights accessed 21st September 2011
  7. Cabinet Office Applying Behavioural Insights to Health accessed 21st September 2011
  8. Cabinet Office Applying Behavioural Insights to Health accessed 21st September 2011