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Stories, science and secrets from the world’s brightest thought-leaders. Behavioral Grooves is the podcast that satisfies your curiosity of why we do what we do. Explanations of human behavior that will improve your relationships, your wellbeing, and your organization by helping you find your groove.
Episodes

Friday Apr 17, 2020
Friday Apr 17, 2020
Michael Boden is the Head of U.S. Crop Protection Sales at Syngenta, a global agrochemicals and seeds firm based in Basel, Switzerland. He joined the company in 1986 and has held global sales and marketing positions throughout his career. Michael grew up in Sioux City, Iowa, and is currently based in Syngenta’s North American headquarters in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Michael shared a vivid image of his business: it’s what he calls belly-to-belly relationships his reps and agronomists have with growers (farmers), retailers and distributors. He also shared an insight about the need for corporate redundancy that was refreshing to hear from a business leader, rather than an academic.
Also, an interesting part of our grooving session was about Robin Dunbar’s research on the importance of physical touch and proximity and trust. We also asked the question about work-life balance and is it possible that we are redefining, in ways not seen since the industrial revolution, what work-life means.
He left us with these four tips for business leaders on making it through the crisis:
- Keep people safe – the heroes will stay safe
- Leverage technology – don’t fear it
- This will pass – and be patient
- Enjoy the exercise
© 2020 Behavioral Grooves
Links
Connect with Kurt and Tim:
Kurt Nelson, PhD: @WhatMotivates e-mail: kurt@lanterngroup.com
Tim Houlihan: @THoulihan e-mail: tim@behavioralchemy.com
Lantern Group: http://lanterngroup.com/
BehaviorAlchemy: https://www.behavioralchemy.com/
Behavioral Grooves: https://behavioralgrooves.com/
Weekly Grooves: https://weeklygrooves.podbean.com/
Common Biases & Heuristics: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XHpBr0VFcaT8wIUpr-9zMIb79dFMgOVFRxIZRybiftI/edit#
Patreon Site for Behavioral Grooves: https://www.patreon.com/behavioralgrooves
General Coronavirus Info:
Daily Newsletter Summarizing data from Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security: http://www.centerforhealthsecurity.org/newsroom/newsletters/e-newsletter-sign-up.html
CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Great videos on the science behind this by Dr. Peter Attia – this is the first in a series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNVhLyAlfA4
What is herd immunity?: https://www.technologyreview.com/s/615375/what-is-herd-immunity-and-can-it-stop-the-coronavirus/
A list curated by Liam.Delaney@UCD.ie
https://docs.google.com/document/d/11GLhX7hLf64Bxkdpv5hvYHqOjS1imlcMQFjJBJ-9oUM/edit
Coronavirus & Behavioral Science:
Selected Links: The Behavioral Sice of Coronavirus: https://behavioralscientist.org/selected-links-the-behavioral-science-of-the-coronavirus-covid-19/
Why no one is reading your coronavirus email: https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/13/opinions/coronavirus-emails-effective-messaging-rogers/index.html
Handwashing can stop a virus, so why don’t we do it?: https://behavioralscientist.org/handwashing-can-stop-a-virus-so-why-dont-we-do-it-coronavirus-covid-19/
The behavioral science of handwashing: https://think.ing.com/articles/the-behavioural-science-of-hand-washing/
Ideas 42: The Behavioral Side of COVID-19 here: https://ideas42.org/covid19/
Greater Good: https://twitter.com/GreaterGoodSC
How We Can Cope During This Crisis:
Tip Sheet from HUMU: https://humu.com/remote-nudges/
Resources for learning at home: https://fordhaminstitute.org/national/commentary/resources-learning-home-during-covid-19-school-closures?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email&utm_placement=etcetera
General Behavioral Science Links:
Common Biases and Heuristics: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XHpBr0VFcaT8wIUpr-9zMIb79dFMgOVFRxIZRybiftI/edit#
Jonathan Haidt – 5 Moral Foundations: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_foundations_theory
Annie Duke’s “How To Decide”: https://www.amazon.com/How-Decide-Simple-Making-Choices/dp/0593084608
“16 Ways To Promote Hand Washing With Behavioral Science” article by Aline Holzwarth: https://www.forbes.com/sites/alineholzwarth/2020/03/25/handwashing-with-behavioral-science/#261b4b9f768d
Aline Holzwarth’s Playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0H5fsQRrqslGdBhhx8d4Aw?si=0jra0rU1Qu2vQNtqjbRvZA
Deontological and Consequential Moralities: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/ethics-deontological/#DeoTheKan
Difference between descriptive and injunctive norms: https://psychology.stackexchange.com/questions/6193/whats-the-difference-between-injunctive-norms-and-descriptive-norms
Emotion Research from FinalMile: http://finalmile.in/research/
Pandemic Playbook from FinalMile: https://www.playbookforpandemic.com/

Tuesday Apr 14, 2020
Tuesday Apr 14, 2020
Alessandro del Ponte is a research fellow at the National University of Singapore working in the Behavioral Change program at the Global Asia Institute. He recently earned his PhD in behavioral political economy from Stony Brook University in New York. His recent research uses simple video games to understand how people feel about making tradeoffs between jobs and paying off national debt, or between saving lives in the national healthcare system or paying off the national debt.
We decided to connect with Alessandro because of President Trump’s recent comment: The cure shouldn’t be worse than the problem. Clearly, we have a moral dilemma: open the country to save the economy or kill 10’s of thousands of people with the virus?
We hope you enjoy this very philosophical discussion.
© 2020 Behavioral Grooves
Links
Connect with Kurt and Tim:
Kurt Nelson, PhD: @WhatMotivates e-mail: kurt@lanterngroup.com
Tim Houlihan: @THoulihan e-mail: tim@behavioralchemy.com
Lantern Group: http://lanterngroup.com/
BehaviorAlchemy: https://www.behavioralchemy.com/
Behavioral Grooves: https://behavioralgrooves.com/
Weekly Grooves: https://weeklygrooves.podbean.com/
Common Biases & Heuristics: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XHpBr0VFcaT8wIUpr-9zMIb79dFMgOVFRxIZRybiftI/edit#
Patreon Site for Behavioral Grooves: https://www.patreon.com/behavioralgrooves
General Coronavirus Info:
Daily Newsletter Summarizing data from Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security: http://www.centerforhealthsecurity.org/newsroom/newsletters/e-newsletter-sign-up.html
CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Great videos on the science behind this by Dr. Peter Attia – this is the first in a series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNVhLyAlfA4
What is herd immunity?: https://www.technologyreview.com/s/615375/what-is-herd-immunity-and-can-it-stop-the-coronavirus/
A list curated by Liam.Delaney@UCD.ie
https://docs.google.com/document/d/11GLhX7hLf64Bxkdpv5hvYHqOjS1imlcMQFjJBJ-9oUM/edit
Coronavirus & Behavioral Science:
Selected Links: The Behavioral Sice of Coronavirus: https://behavioralscientist.org/selected-links-the-behavioral-science-of-the-coronavirus-covid-19/
Why no one is reading your coronavirus email: https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/13/opinions/coronavirus-emails-effective-messaging-rogers/index.html
Handwashing can stop a virus, so why don’t we do it?: https://behavioralscientist.org/handwashing-can-stop-a-virus-so-why-dont-we-do-it-coronavirus-covid-19/
The behavioral science of handwashing: https://think.ing.com/articles/the-behavioural-science-of-hand-washing/
Ideas 42: The Behavioral Side of COVID-19 here: https://ideas42.org/covid19/
Greater Good: https://twitter.com/GreaterGoodSC
How We Can Cope During This Crisis:
Tip Sheet from HUMU: https://humu.com/remote-nudges/
Resources for learning at home: https://fordhaminstitute.org/national/commentary/resources-learning-home-during-covid-19-school-closures?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email&utm_placement=etcetera
General Behavioral Science Links:
Common Biases and Heuristics: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XHpBr0VFcaT8wIUpr-9zMIb79dFMgOVFRxIZRybiftI/edit#
Jonathan Haidt – 5 Moral Foundations: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_foundations_theory
Annie Duke’s “How To Decide”: https://www.amazon.com/How-Decide-Simple-Making-Choices/dp/0593084608
“16 Ways To Promote Hand Washing With Behavioral Science” article by Aline Holzwarth: https://www.forbes.com/sites/alineholzwarth/2020/03/25/handwashing-with-behavioral-science/#261b4b9f768d
Aline Holzwarth’s Playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0H5fsQRrqslGdBhhx8d4Aw?si=0jra0rU1Qu2vQNtqjbRvZA
Deontological and Consequential Moralities: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/ethics-deontological/#DeoTheKan
Difference between descriptive and injunctive norms: https://psychology.stackexchange.com/questions/6193/whats-the-difference-between-injunctive-norms-and-descriptive-norms
Emotion Research from FinalMile: http://finalmile.in/research/
Pandemic Playbook from FinalMile: https://www.playbookforpandemic.com/
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Sunday Apr 12, 2020
Stuart King: On the “What The Hell” Effect
Sunday Apr 12, 2020
Sunday Apr 12, 2020
Stuart King designs evidence-based interventions for children and adults to change their behavior and manage their weight. He has worked with the UK’s NHS as an Obesity Lead, as a Senior Scientist in the Obesity and Healthy Weight Team, and is now the CEO and Head of Distraction at his company, BeeZee Bodies. The firm provides behavior change services across all of England.
Our conversation was recorded just after the World Health Organization had declared the coronavirus a pandemic, but before countries like Italy and Spain had ordered more severe lockdown measures. In this dynamic world, it’s important to know that because, as Kurt and Tim like to say, context matters!
Stuart’s observations on behavioral science combine his scholarly knowledge of the literature and a very practical approach to applying those principles. We found his ideas about the Whole Systems Approach, growth mindset, and the power of defaults very interesting.
We hope you will, too.
PS…it’s regrettable when we make mistakes, but it’s on us to call them out. At about 1:15:30 in this episode, Tim said two erroneous things that necessitate correction. First, the Symphony he’s referring to is the 5th Symphony, not the 9th. And second, the composer was Beethoven, not Bach. Such an error is unexplainable and somewhat unbelievable given his familiarity with both composers. We ask you to forgive this error, and enjoy a listen to Herbert von Karajan conducting the Berlin Philharmonic (favorite!) on Beethoven’s 5th Symphony.
© 2020 Behavioral Grooves
Links
Stuart King: https://beezeebodies.com/meet-the-team/
Lady Gray Tea: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Grey_(tea)
Real World Behavioural Science Podcast: https://beezeebodies.com/professionals/real-world-behavioural-science-podcast/
“Habit Before the Habit”: https://beezeebodies.com/habit-before-the-habit/
Habitus: http://routledgesoc.com/category/profile-tags/habitus
Pierre Bourdieu: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierre_Bourdieu
Rich Sheridan: https://menloinnovations.com/services/keynotes-and-talks
Menlo Innovations: https://menloinnovations.com/
Tim Chadborn: https://publichealthmatters.blog.gov.uk/author/tim-chadborn/
Dan Ariely: http://danariely.com/
Whole Systems Approach: https://publichealthreform.scot/whole-system-approach/whole-system-approach-overview
Carol Dweck “Mindset”: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carol_Dweck
Susan Michie, PhD: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/pals/people/susan-michie
Jim McManus: https://www.health.org.uk/fellow/jim-mcmanus
Common Biases & Heuristics: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XHpBr0VFcaT8wIUpr-9zMIb79dFMgOVFRxIZRybiftI/edit#
How to Stop Autoplay on Netflix: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hoTWLQsECU
Birdsongs inspiring human music: https://theconversation.com/birdsong-has-inspired-humans-for-centuries-is-it-music-79000
Behavioral Grooves Patreon Site: https://www.patreon.com/behavioralgrooves
Kurt Nelson, PhD: @WhatMotivates
Tim Houlihan: @THoulihan
Musical Links
Stephen Fretwell “Emily”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPD9RXFJAao
Valentina Lisitsa “Rachmaninoff 1st Piano Sonata”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_KbyDBvxrU
Tim Houlihan (on Soundcloud): https://soundcloud.com/timhoulihan
Nathan Carter “Wagon Wheel”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3h6Nr1Smw0
Beethoven’s 5th Symphony, conducted by Herbert von Karajan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4IRMYuE1hI

Saturday Apr 11, 2020
Covid-19 Crisis: Cristina Bicchieri – Messaging Rules For Improving Social Behavior
Saturday Apr 11, 2020
Saturday Apr 11, 2020
Cristina Bicchieri, PhD is the S. J. Patterson Harvie Professor of Social Thought and Comparative Ethics, a Professor of Philosophy and Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, a Professor of Legal Studies at the Wharton School, the Head of the Behavioral Ethics Lab, the Director of the Philosophy, Politics, and Economics Program, and is the Faculty Director of the Master of Behavioral and Decision Sciences Program at the University of Pennsylvania. Her research with UNICEF keeps her busy around the world, as well.
Our discussion with Cristina offers more than just a few tips (noted below). Cristina’s observations are based on a lifetime of excellent research and writing and we are happy to share them with you. Also, Cristina was our guest on episode 102, where you can help yourself to more insights on social norms and reference networks in that conversation.
We also asked Cristina to get out her crystal ball to share her visions of
Also, listeners might want to think about these tips for all of the corporate and customer-focused messaging.
6 Rules For April 2020
- Do not send conflicting information
- Make the desired behavior observable
- Reinforce positive behaviors seen in others
- Choose the appropriate reference network
- Avoid moralizing messages
- Avoid ambiguity
In our grooving session, Kurt offered a thought experiment for how the media might frame bad behaviors in their reporting.
© 2020 Behavioral Grooves
Links
Connect with Kurt and Tim:
Kurt Nelson, PhD: @WhatMotivates e-mail: kurt@lanterngroup.com
Tim Houlihan: @THoulihan e-mail: tim@behavioralchemy.com
Lantern Group: http://lanterngroup.com/
BehaviorAlchemy: https://www.behavioralchemy.com/
Behavioral Grooves: https://behavioralgrooves.com/
Weekly Grooves: https://weeklygrooves.podbean.com/
Common Biases & Heuristics: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XHpBr0VFcaT8wIUpr-9zMIb79dFMgOVFRxIZRybiftI/edit#
Patreon Site for Behavioral Grooves: https://www.patreon.com/behavioralgrooves
General Coronavirus Info:
Daily Newsletter Summarizing data from Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security: http://www.centerforhealthsecurity.org/newsroom/newsletters/e-newsletter-sign-up.html
CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Great videos on the science behind this by Dr. Peter Attia – this is the first in a series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNVhLyAlfA4
What is herd immunity?: https://www.technologyreview.com/s/615375/what-is-herd-immunity-and-can-it-stop-the-coronavirus/
A list curated by Liam.Delaney@UCD.ie
https://docs.google.com/document/d/11GLhX7hLf64Bxkdpv5hvYHqOjS1imlcMQFjJBJ-9oUM/edit
Coronavirus & Behavioral Science:
Selected Links: The Behavioral Sice of Coronavirus: https://behavioralscientist.org/selected-links-the-behavioral-science-of-the-coronavirus-covid-19/
Why no one is reading your coronavirus email: https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/13/opinions/coronavirus-emails-effective-messaging-rogers/index.html
Handwashing can stop a virus, so why don’t we do it?: https://behavioralscientist.org/handwashing-can-stop-a-virus-so-why-dont-we-do-it-coronavirus-covid-19/
The behavioral science of handwashing: https://think.ing.com/articles/the-behavioural-science-of-hand-washing/
Ideas 42: The Behavioral Side of COVID-19 here: https://ideas42.org/covid19/
Greater Good: https://twitter.com/GreaterGoodSC
How We Can Cope During This Crisis:
Tip Sheet from HUMU: https://humu.com/remote-nudges/
Resources for learning at home: https://fordhaminstitute.org/national/commentary/resources-learning-home-during-covid-19-school-closures?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email&utm_placement=etcetera
General Behavioral Science Links:
Common Biases and Heuristics: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XHpBr0VFcaT8wIUpr-9zMIb79dFMgOVFRxIZRybiftI/edit#
Jonathan Haidt – 5 Moral Foundations: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_foundations_theory
Annie Duke’s “How To Decide”: https://www.amazon.com/How-Decide-Simple-Making-Choices/dp/0593084608
“16 Ways To Promote Hand Washing With Behavioral Science” article by Aline Holzwarth: https://www.forbes.com/sites/alineholzwarth/2020/03/25/handwashing-with-behavioral-science/#261b4b9f768d
Aline Holzwarth’s Playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0H5fsQRrqslGdBhhx8d4Aw?si=0jra0rU1Qu2vQNtqjbRvZA
Deontological and Consequential Moralities: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/ethics-deontological/#DeoTheKan
Difference between descriptive and injunctive norms: https://psychology.stackexchange.com/questions/6193/whats-the-difference-between-injunctive-norms-and-descriptive-norms
Emotion Research from FinalMile: http://finalmile.in/research/
Pandemic Playbook from FinalMile: https://www.playbookforpandemic.com/

Sunday Apr 05, 2020
Grooving: The Impact of Temporal Discounting
Sunday Apr 05, 2020
Sunday Apr 05, 2020
In this grooving episode, Kurt and Tim discuss Temporal Discounting and it’s closely related cousins. Temporal discounting is where we tend to value events in the near term more than similar events that are off in the distance. Another way to say it is that we discount – or reduce – our perceived value of events scheduled far off in the future. (The “timing” element is what gives it the name “temporal.”)
This is a very common bias and is closely related to Hyperbolic Discounting, which is the tendency for people to have a stronger preference for more immediate payoffs relative to later payoffs. (Think of Seinfeld’s Nighttime Guy vs. Morning Guy.) And Temporal Construal, where near-term events are valued in very concrete ways, but distant-term events seem very vague. And, a slightly more distant relative in this family of biases is Preference Reversal. With Preference Reversal, we see how the relative preference for one option over another changes with order or framing, such as when we see it.
All of these biases evolved for good reasons over thousands of years of human development and in much simpler times. But today, our world is very complex. And these biases can get in the way of our best decision making.
NOTE TO LISTENERS: This episode was recorded on March 11, 2020, just two days after the World Health Organization declared coronavirus a pandemic and Kurt and Tim were in the studio together. But it was still days before any cities declared shelter in place and a full two weeks before Minnesota, where Kurt and Tim live, made the declaration. Since then, we’ve been recording remotely.
Links
Kurt Nelson, PhD: @WhatMotivates
Tim Houlihan: @THoulihan
Common Biases and Heuristics: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XHpBr0VFcaT8wIUpr-9zMIb79dFMgOVFRxIZRybiftI/edit#
Gretchen Chapman, PhD: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0272989X9501500408
Seinfeld Night Guy vs. Morning Guy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-Cz-LK16g4
Tim Urban, “Wait, but Why?”: https://waitbutwhy.com/2016/03/doing-a-ted-talk-the-full-story.html
Veruca Salt in Willy Wonka “I Want It Now”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pqsy7V0wphI
Christopher Hsee on General Evaluability Theory: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1745691610374586
Bazerman, Max, The Power of Noticing: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Noticing-What-Best-Leaders/dp/1476700303
Harris CJ, Laibson D., “Hyperbolic Discounting and Consumption.” Advances in Economics and Econometrics: Theory and Applications, Volume 1. Eighth World Congress; 2002 p. 258-298: https://scholar.harvard.edu/laibson/publications/hyperbolic-discounting-and-consumption

Friday Apr 03, 2020
Covid-19 Crisis: Aline Holzwarth on Our Behavioral Immune System
Friday Apr 03, 2020
Friday Apr 03, 2020
Aline Holzwarth is the head of Behavioral Science at Pattern Health in Durham, North Carolina and a writer who supplies work to Behavioral Scientist and Forbes and has well as her blog on Medium. And she is also Principal of Dan Ariely’s Center for Advanced Hindsight, where she is responsible for directing the strategy, operations and communications for the Duke University research center.
Our conversation with Aline was relaxed and built on the underpinnings of abundance and gratitude. We talked first about some the great tips she offers for handwashing messages and how our behavioral immune systems are excellent when we can see, smell or touch something, but they are compromised when it comes to invisibilia such as a virus.
We also discussed the role that music can play in providing buoyancy to our feelings and gave up some excellent tips on what to do with video conferencing.
© 2020 Behavioral Grooves
Links
Connect with Kurt and Tim:
Kurt Nelson, PhD: @WhatMotivates e-mail: kurt@lanterngroup.com
Tim Houlihan: @THoulihan e-mail: tim@behavioralchemy.com
Lantern Group: http://lanterngroup.com/
BehaviorAlchemy: https://www.behavioralchemy.com/
Behavioral Grooves: https://behavioralgrooves.com/
Weekly Grooves: https://weeklygrooves.podbean.com/
Common Biases & Heuristics: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XHpBr0VFcaT8wIUpr-9zMIb79dFMgOVFRxIZRybiftI/edit#
General Coronavirus Info:
Daily Newsletter Summarizing data from Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security: http://www.centerforhealthsecurity.org/newsroom/newsletters/e-newsletter-sign-up.html
CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Great videos on the science behind this by Dr. Peter Attia – this is the first in a series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNVhLyAlfA4
What is herd immunity?: https://www.technologyreview.com/s/615375/what-is-herd-immunity-and-can-it-stop-the-coronavirus/
A list curated by Liam.Delaney@UCD.ie
https://docs.google.com/document/d/11GLhX7hLf64Bxkdpv5hvYHqOjS1imlcMQFjJBJ-9oUM/edit
Coronavirus & Behavioral Science:
Selected Links: The Behavioral Sice of Coronavirus: https://behavioralscientist.org/selected-links-the-behavioral-science-of-the-coronavirus-covid-19/
Why no one is reading your coronavirus email: https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/13/opinions/coronavirus-emails-effective-messaging-rogers/index.html
Handwashing can stop a virus, so why don’t we do it?: https://behavioralscientist.org/handwashing-can-stop-a-virus-so-why-dont-we-do-it-coronavirus-covid-19/
The behavioral science of handwashing: https://think.ing.com/articles/the-behavioural-science-of-hand-washing/
Ideas 42: The Behavioral Side of COVID-19 here: https://ideas42.org/covid19/
Greater Good: https://twitter.com/GreaterGoodSC
How we can cope or be better during this crisis:
Tip Sheet from HUMU: https://humu.com/remote-nudges/
Resources for learning at home: https://fordhaminstitute.org/national/commentary/resources-learning-home-during-covid-19-school-closures?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email&utm_placement=etcetera
General Behavioral Science and other info related or talked about in the series:
Common Biases and Heuristics: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XHpBr0VFcaT8wIUpr-9zMIb79dFMgOVFRxIZRybiftI/edit#
Jonathan Haidt – 5 Moral Foundations: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_foundations_theory
Jürgen Klopp: https://ftw.usatoday.com/2020/03/jurgen-klopp-goes-off-on-reporter-after-being-asked-about-coronavirus-again
UBI (Universal Basic Income): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basic_income
7-Minute Workout: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECxYJcnvyMw
4 Drive Model: https://www.leadersbeacon.com/how-great-leaders-use-the-4-drive-model-to-impact-employee-motivation/
Universal Basic Income: https://behavioralscientist.org/checkscheckschecks-why-we-need-a-universal-basic-income-now-coronavirus/
Why we are not going back to normal: https://www.technologyreview.com/s/615370/coronavirus-pandemic-social-distancing-18-months/
Annie Duke’s “How To Decide”: https://www.amazon.com/How-Decide-Simple-Making-Choices/dp/0593084608
“16 Ways To Promote Hand Washing With Behavioral Science” article by Aline Holzwarth: https://www.forbes.com/sites/alineholzwarth/2020/03/25/handwashing-with-behavioral-science/#261b4b9f768d
Aline Holzwarth’s Playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0H5fsQRrqslGdBhhx8d4Aw?si=0jra0rU1Qu2vQNtqjbRvZA

Wednesday Apr 01, 2020
Wednesday Apr 01, 2020
Brad Shuck, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership, Evaluation and Organizational Development at the University of Louisville. He is also the Program Director of the Center for Human Resource and Organizational Development. Brad has been researching employee engagement for many years and is a featured speaker at conferences on employee engagement around the world.
Talking to Brad was like having a friendly counselor talk you off the ledge while we covered meaningful topics starting with the fact that this is definitely NOT business as usual. His take on intentionality, deliberate action and boundaries was novel and we were intrigued by some new research he’s completing on capacity (for time, energy and resources).
We’re grateful for Brad’s insights and calming delivery in a very unsettling time.
© 2020 Behavioral Grooves
Links
Connect with Kurt and Tim:
Kurt Nelson, PhD: @WhatMotivates e-mail: kurt@lanterngroup.com
Tim Houlihan: @THoulihan e-mail: tim@behavioralchemy.com
Lantern Group: http://lanterngroup.com/
BehaviorAlchemy: https://www.behavioralchemy.com/
Behavioral Grooves: https://behavioralgrooves.com/
Weekly Grooves: https://weeklygrooves.podbean.com/
Common Biases & Heuristics: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XHpBr0VFcaT8wIUpr-9zMIb79dFMgOVFRxIZRybiftI/edit#
General Coronavirus Info:
Daily Newsletter Summarizing data from Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security: http://www.centerforhealthsecurity.org/newsroom/newsletters/e-newsletter-sign-up.html
CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Great videos on the science behind this by Dr. Peter Attia – this is the first in a series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNVhLyAlfA4
What is herd immunity?: https://www.technologyreview.com/s/615375/what-is-herd-immunity-and-can-it-stop-the-coronavirus/
A list curated by Liam.Delaney@UCD.ie
https://docs.google.com/document/d/11GLhX7hLf64Bxkdpv5hvYHqOjS1imlcMQFjJBJ-9oUM/edit
Coronavirus & Behavioral Science:
Selected Links: The Behavioral Sice of Coronavirus: https://behavioralscientist.org/selected-links-the-behavioral-science-of-the-coronavirus-covid-19/
Why no one is reading your coronavirus email: https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/13/opinions/coronavirus-emails-effective-messaging-rogers/index.html
Handwashing can stop a virus, so why don’t we do it?: https://behavioralscientist.org/handwashing-can-stop-a-virus-so-why-dont-we-do-it-coronavirus-covid-19/
The behavioral science of handwashing: https://think.ing.com/articles/the-behavioural-science-of-hand-washing/
Ideas 42: The Behavioral Side of COVID-19 here: https://ideas42.org/covid19/
Greater Good: https://twitter.com/GreaterGoodSC
How we can cope or be better during this crisis:
Tip Sheet from HUMU: https://humu.com/remote-nudges/
Resources for learning at home: https://fordhaminstitute.org/national/commentary/resources-learning-home-during-covid-19-school-closures?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email&utm_placement=etcetera
General Behavioral Science and other info related or talked about in the series:
Common Biases and Heuristics: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XHpBr0VFcaT8wIUpr-9zMIb79dFMgOVFRxIZRybiftI/edit#
Jonathan Haidt – 5 Moral Foundations: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_foundations_theory
Jürgen Klopp: https://ftw.usatoday.com/2020/03/jurgen-klopp-goes-off-on-reporter-after-being-asked-about-coronavirus-again
UBI (Universal Basic Income): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basic_income
7-Minute Workout: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECxYJcnvyMw
4 Drive Model: https://www.leadersbeacon.com/how-great-leaders-use-the-4-drive-model-to-impact-employee-motivation/
Universal Basic Income: https://behavioralscientist.org/checkscheckschecks-why-we-need-a-universal-basic-income-now-coronavirus/
Why we are not going back to normal: https://www.technologyreview.com/s/615370/coronavirus-pandemic-social-distancing-18-months/
Annie Duke’s “How To Decide”: https://www.amazon.com/How-Decide-Simple-Making-Choices/dp/0593084608

Tuesday Mar 31, 2020
Covid-19 Crisis: Eugen Dimant, PhD on the Roles of Social Norms and Good Science
Tuesday Mar 31, 2020
Tuesday Mar 31, 2020
Eugen Dimant, PhD is an Associate Professor of Practice in Behavioral and Decision Sciences, which is part of the new Center for Social Norms and Behavioral Dynamics under Cristina Bicchieri, Ph.D.’s leadership at the University of Pennsylvania. Much of his work is focused on how social norms are formed and impact our lives.
We talked about how social norms drive individual behaviors in different ways and how research on coronavirus-related behaviors is being completed at record speeds – but not necessarily all in good ways. He recommends slowing down, working across disciplines, and being clear on research objectives to insure test methods and data collection conform to the highest standards and deliver the most meaningful results. He also mentioned that sustainable behavior change requires more than nudges and the roles that both descriptive and injunctive norms play (they are described in greater detail in our grooving session after the interview).
It’s also important to be reminded that when we see empty shelves where toilet paper used to be, we almost always feel the need to buy more. Be careful out there.
© 2020 Behavioral Grooves
Links
Connect with Kurt and Tim:
Kurt Nelson, PhD: @WhatMotivates e-mail: kurt@lanterngroup.com
Tim Houlihan: @THoulihan e-mail: tim@behavioralchemy.com
Lantern Group: http://lanterngroup.com/
BehaviorAlchemy: https://www.behavioralchemy.com/
Behavioral Grooves: https://behavioralgrooves.com/
Weekly Grooves: https://weeklygrooves.podbean.com/
Common Biases & Heuristics: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XHpBr0VFcaT8wIUpr-9zMIb79dFMgOVFRxIZRybiftI/edit#
General Coronavirus Info:
Daily Newsletter Summarizing data from Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security: http://www.centerforhealthsecurity.org/newsroom/newsletters/e-newsletter-sign-up.html
CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Great videos on the science behind this by Dr. Peter Attia – this is the first in a series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNVhLyAlfA4
What is herd immunity? https://www.technologyreview.com/s/615375/what-is-herd-immunity-and-can-it-stop-the-coronavirus/
A list curated by Liam.Delaney@UCD.ie
https://docs.google.com/document/d/11GLhX7hLf64Bxkdpv5hvYHqOjS1imlcMQFjJBJ-9oUM/edit
Coronavirus & Behavioral Science:
Selected Links: The Behavioral Sice of Coronavirus: https://behavioralscientist.org/selected-links-the-behavioral-science-of-the-coronavirus-covid-19/
Why no one is reading your coronavirus email: https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/13/opinions/coronavirus-emails-effective-messaging-rogers/index.html
Handwashing can stop a virus, so why don’t we do it?: https://behavioralscientist.org/handwashing-can-stop-a-virus-so-why-dont-we-do-it-coronavirus-covid-19/
The behavioral science of handwashing: https://think.ing.com/articles/the-behavioural-science-of-hand-washing/
Ideas 42: The Behavioral Side of COVID-19 here: https://ideas42.org/covid19/
Greater Good: https://twitter.com/GreaterGoodSC
How we can cope or be better during this crisis:
Tip Sheet from HUMU: https://humu.com/remote-nudges/
Resources for learning at home: https://fordhaminstitute.org/national/commentary/resources-learning-home-during-covid-19-school-closures?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email&utm_placement=etcetera
General Behavioral Science and other info related or talked about in the series:
Common Biases and Heuristics: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XHpBr0VFcaT8wIUpr-9zMIb79dFMgOVFRxIZRybiftI/edit#
Jonathan Haidt – 5 Moral Foundations: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_foundations_theory
Jürgen Klopp: https://ftw.usatoday.com/2020/03/jurgen-klopp-goes-off-on-reporter-after-being-asked-about-coronavirus-again
UBI (Universal Basic Income): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basic_income
7-Minute Workout: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECxYJcnvyMw
4 Drive Model: https://www.leadersbeacon.com/how-great-leaders-use-the-4-drive-model-to-impact-employee-motivation/
Universal Basic Income: https://behavioralscientist.org/checkscheckschecks-why-we-need-a-universal-basic-income-now-coronavirus/
Why we are not going back to normal: https://www.technologyreview.com/s/615370/coronavirus-pandemic-social-distancing-18-months/
Annie Duke’s “How To Decide”: https://www.amazon.com/How-Decide-Simple-Making-Choices/dp/0593084608

Monday Mar 30, 2020
Monday Mar 30, 2020
Wendy Wood, PhD is a social psychologist whose research addresses the ways that habits guide behavior. She researches and teaches at USC both in psychology and in the business school and is a world-renowned expert on breaking old habits and creating new ones. Her book, “Good Habits, Bad Habits” is a New York Times bestseller and delivers a terrifically readable and scholarly approach to habits.
In our conversation with her, she shared what habits are and how habits get formed. We talked about how now could be a time for more pro-social behavior. And she reminded us to be kind to ourselves as we endeavor through a very challenging set of circumstances. You’re not going to be as productive as you might otherwise be because of all these new routines, she warns, but don’t let that stop you! Be intentional and keep pushing through!
© 2020 Behavioral Grooves
Links
Connect with Kurt and Tim:
Kurt Nelson, PhD: @WhatMotivates e-mail: kurt@lanterngroup.com
Tim Houlihan: @THoulihan e-mail: tim@behavioralchemy.com
Lantern Group: http://lanterngroup.com/
BehaviorAlchemy: https://www.behavioralchemy.com/
Behavioral Grooves: https://behavioralgrooves.com/
Weekly Grooves: https://weeklygrooves.podbean.com/
Common Biases & Heuristics: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XHpBr0VFcaT8wIUpr-9zMIb79dFMgOVFRxIZRybiftI/edit#
General Coronavirus Info:
Daily Newsletter Summarizing data from Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security: http://www.centerforhealthsecurity.org/newsroom/newsletters/e-newsletter-sign-up.html
CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Great videos on the science behind this by Dr. Peter Attia – this is the first in a series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNVhLyAlfA4
What is herd immunity? https://www.technologyreview.com/s/615375/what-is-herd-immunity-and-can-it-stop-the-coronavirus/
A list curated by Liam.Delaney@UCD.ie
https://docs.google.com/document/d/11GLhX7hLf64Bxkdpv5hvYHqOjS1imlcMQFjJBJ-9oUM/edit
Coronavirus & Behavioral Science:
Selected Links: The Behavioral Sice of Coronavirus: https://behavioralscientist.org/selected-links-the-behavioral-science-of-the-coronavirus-covid-19/
Why no one is reading your coronavirus email: https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/13/opinions/coronavirus-emails-effective-messaging-rogers/index.html
Handwashing can stop a virus, so why don’t we do it?: https://behavioralscientist.org/handwashing-can-stop-a-virus-so-why-dont-we-do-it-coronavirus-covid-19/
The behavioral science of handwashing: https://think.ing.com/articles/the-behavioural-science-of-hand-washing/
Ideas 42: The Behavioral Side of COVID-19 here: https://ideas42.org/covid19/
Greater Good: https://twitter.com/GreaterGoodSC
How we can cope or be better during this crisis:
Tip Sheet from HUMU: https://humu.com/remote-nudges/
Resources for learning at home: https://fordhaminstitute.org/national/commentary/resources-learning-home-during-covid-19-school-closures?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email&utm_placement=etcetera
General Behavioral Science and other info related or talked about in the series:
Common Biases and Heuristics: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XHpBr0VFcaT8wIUpr-9zMIb79dFMgOVFRxIZRybiftI/edit#
Jonathan Haidt – 5 Moral Foundations: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_foundations_theory
Jürgen Klopp: https://ftw.usatoday.com/2020/03/jurgen-klopp-goes-off-on-reporter-after-being-asked-about-coronavirus-again
UBI (Universal Basic Income): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basic_income
7-Minute Workout: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECxYJcnvyMw
4 Drive Model: https://www.leadersbeacon.com/how-great-leaders-use-the-4-drive-model-to-impact-employee-motivation/
Universal Basic Income: https://behavioralscientist.org/checkscheckschecks-why-we-need-a-universal-basic-income-now-coronavirus/
Why we are not going back to normal: https://www.technologyreview.com/s/615370/coronavirus-pandemic-social-distancing-18-months/
Annie Duke’s “How To Decide”: https://www.amazon.com/How-Decide-Simple-Making-Choices/dp/0593084608

Sunday Mar 29, 2020
Deborah Small, PhD: Processing Probabilistic Events and Making Donations
Sunday Mar 29, 2020
Sunday Mar 29, 2020
Deborah Small, PhD is a professor of marketing in the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Her research crosses the intersections of psychology and economics, examining fundamental processes that underlie human decision making. In recent years, her work has focused on both altruistic and self-interested motivations for philanthropic behavior. She has examined impediments to effective altruism, bragging about prosocial behavior, and the downsides of conspicuous consumption.
A NOTE TO OUR LISTENERS: We recorded this discussion with Deborah on March 6, 2020, and it was one of the last recordings that Kurt and Tim made in the studio together. On that day, the United States confirmed 311 cases of coronavirus out of roughly 100,000 worldwide. While we were all aware of the virus, the World Health Organization had not labeled it a pandemic, which happened on March 11th. At a little after the 26:00-minute mark, we discuss what was going on as “unfolding,” as it was at that time.
Our conversation with Deborah was filled with terrific insights as we pursued inquiries such as how difficult it is for humans to deal with probabilistic events, citing examples of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and the 9/11 tragedies from 2001.
She shared highlights from her research on why people give to charities, the effects of availability bias on our behaviors, the influence of social norms in giving, and how we feel when we hear of boasting and bragging from people who make donations.
She also asked a really good question that is worth considering: Why do so many people make cash donations to charities that are terribly inefficient with their funds?
We hope you enjoy our conversation with Dr. Deborah Small.
© 2020 Behavioral Grooves
Links
Deborah Small, PhD: https://marketing.wharton.upenn.edu/profile/deborahs/
Peter Singer, PhD: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Singer
The Effective Altruism Movement: https://www.effectivealtruism.org/
Jeremy Bentham: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremy_Bentham
“Dread Risk, September 11, and Fatal Traffic Accidents” by Gerg Gigerenzer, PhD: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.0956-7976.2004.00668.x
Robert Cialdini, PhD on Ego or Altruism: https://www.jstor.org/stable/1449244?seq=1
Susan G. Komen article: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2017/10/03/breast-cancer-charity-ratings-julia-louis-dreyfus/714899001/
GiveWell: https://www.givewell.org/charities/top-charities
Common Biases & Heuristics: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XHpBr0VFcaT8wIUpr-9zMIb79dFMgOVFRxIZRybiftI/edit#
Neuromarketing World Forum: https://www.neuromarketingworldforum.com/
Roger Dooley: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/roger-dooley-friction-and-engagement/
Musical Links
Taylor Swift: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3aXpa1rQEY
Hamilton: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5VqyCQV1Tg
Frozen II: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIOyB9ZXn8s
Baby Shark: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqZsoesa55w
“We Are The World”: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/We_Are_the_World#Humanitarian_aid
James Taylor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbeQqteag_k