Cultural evolutionary behavioural science in public policy

Abstract

Interventions are to the social sciences what inventions are to the physical sciences – an application of science as technology. Behavioural science has emerged as a powerful toolkit for developing public policy interventions for changing behaviour. However, the translation from principles to practice is often moderated by contextual factors – such as culture – that thwart attempts to generalize past successes. Here, we discuss cultural evolution as a framework for addressing this contextual gap. We describe the history of behavioural science and the role that cultural evolution plays as a natural next step. We review research that may be considered cultural evolutionary behavioural science in public policy, and the promise and challenges to designing cultural evolution informed interventions. Finally, we discuss the value of applied research as a crucial test of basic science: if theories, laboratory and field experiments do not work in the real world, they do not work at all.

A manifesto for applying behavioural science

“…These ideas are incredibly useful, but they have often been presented as lists of standalone curiosities in a way that is incoherent, reductive and deadening. Presenting lists of biases does not help us to distinguish or organize them [95][96][97] . Such lists can also create overconfident thinking that targeting a specific bias (in isolation) will achieve a certain outcome 98 .…”

Earth Systems to Anthropocene Systems: An Evolutionary, System-of-Systems, Convergence Paradigm for Interdependent Societal Challenges

“…43,83 With these malleable human predispositions, trust is a crucial element of any successful sociocultural group or society. 84 If we are all subject to the rule of law regardless of social status or identity, and if we collectively trust that group leaders or the governance system 85 will represent our common interests, then we do not need to directly trust other sociocultural groups. If trust fails, however, then we tend to revert back to our closer sociocultural groups, including extended kinship groups, friends, and ethnic and religious communities, where trust comes more naturally.…”

“…Unfortunately, the broader lack of societal trust means that it is very difficult to reestablish impartial institutions because the norms that exist are due to the failed institutions and any newly proposed institutions fail because of the mismatched norms. 84,86 ■ INDUSTRIALIZATION Steam engines and fossil fuel energy facilitated industrialization and further technological innovation and specialization in many cities. Transportation, trade, economic, financial, and legal systems continued to evolve, enabling new industries to emerge to meet the needs of growing populations.…”

“…If trust fails, however, then we tend to revert back to our closer sociocultural groups, including extended kinship groups, friends, and ethnic and religious communities, where trust comes more naturally. Unfortunately, the broader lack of societal trust means that it is very difficult to reestablish impartial institutions because the norms that exist are due to the failed institutions and any newly proposed institutions fail because of the mismatched norms. , …”

“…With these malleable human predispositions, trust is a crucial element of any successful sociocultural group or society . If we are all subject to the rule of law regardless of social status or identity, and if we collectively trust that group leaders or the governance system will represent our common interests, then we do not need to directly trust other sociocultural groups.…”