Recommended listening this week.
Stanford Psychology Podcast – Katy Milkman
Psychological insight: This is a great insight into what it takes to become one of the world’s most prominent behavioural scientists. It will also provide reassurance if you are trying to enter the world of behavioural science – Katy is a self-described ‘misfit’ who started out studying maths and computer science. Katy discusses what behavioural economics is with Misha O’Keeffe, and summarises some of her research into Netflix viewing habits (people procrastinate watching high-brow documentaries) and now the Behavior Change for Good Initiative and the findings of mega studies such as the effect of growing trends i.e. even trends that have not quite reached the level of being a ‘social norm’
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1xbuLyjuD1abchsSwFSWkM?si=Py_GalNDQEWRy1h48Ai3Ww
The Drum Podcast – Guerrilla marketing
Psychological insight: A very practical discussion about marketing activities that don’t look like marketing activities (although there is some debate about the exact definition), with Sam Anderson, Patrick Kehoe (Marble), Moe Endres (Service Plan Culture) and Amanda Keller-Woods (Greenhouse). I particularly like the example of filling a bin with emptied drinks cans – to indicate the apparent popularity of a specific drinks brands! Subtle use of psychology!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6fbtfWMa5Cflf0ZspAM33M?si=UZjgnUCRRcOxIo9SD7vyFg
You Are Not So Smart – Politics
Psychological insight: There is no marketplace of ideas. The principle that the best ideas in a debate win, is false. In fact, people tend to find information to support a pre-existing idea. This sounds to me a bit like confirmation bias. Sarah Stein Lubrano talks about her book and, in particular, makes the point that facts rarely change ideas.People are more persuaded by their own experiences and the influence of others.
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/43Xze90Jmm2ct2ogB7TBTs?si=VZz-XJrxRYCXMCeJf4atLA
Nudge – The Endowment Effect
Psychological insight: This is a great summary of the endowment effect. In fact, it actually mentions work by Katy Milkman (see above) showing how people respond to vaccines being ‘reserved’ for them.
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/67romgj9RW2WgltHR7vLUR?si=gYorvoQkT6aJH4apOq2wJA
Photo by C D-X on Unsplash
