Background: 'Behavioural Insights' has emerged as an increasingly popular approach to policy making in governments across the globe. Practitioners largely present a frontstage narrative of Behavioural Insights as a coherent concept but this article challenges such a description. Aims & objectives: This article aims to explore the ongoing…

Many social policy and education programs start from the assumption that people act in their best interest. But behavioral science shows that people often weigh intuition over reason, make inconsistent choices, and put off big decisions. The individuals and families who need services and the staff who provide them are no exception. From city…

In this study, the importance of decision rule (consensus vs majority) and decision consequences (high vs low) are examined in terms of the sex composition of group membership. The results showed male-female differences not accounted for by decision rule, decision consequence, or post-test change. (Author/WI)

A policy-oriented approach to law based on: law as one of many policy instruments, and, policy analysis (extension of systems analysis) as the methodology for identifying combinations of instruments to direct change. Behavioral study is discussed as essential part of the broad policy-making framework. (SE)

It is argued that behavior genetics should be part of social policy deliberations because behavior genetics studies can reveal which traits are more influenced by shared environments and thus are most malleable through environmental change. This is of particular interest in the case of IQ. (SLD)

The purpose of this study is to develop a model of techniques and considerations that can be used by the field of corrections to cope with prison hostage situations. Because of the fact that no two hostage situations will be exactly alike, the considerations and techniques explored are general in nature and will require evaluation and modification…

A framework for family impact analysis, developed at the Minnesota Family Study Center as part of the NIMH training program for family impact analysis, is presented. The four sections of the accompanying training manual are described as: (1) a set of questions which orient the reader to what family impact analysis is, its particular timeliness,…

Describes what is involved in the Congressional policy-making process, and describes the Capitol Hill community. Discusses the human element that is inherent in understanding and representing constituencies and in attempting to translate the constituents' concerns into policy. Considers what role psychologists might play in this policy-making…

This document describes and presents the results of a study undertaken to determine the nature of popular interest in and demand for cultural and artistic activities in 13 southern states. The general objective of the study was to provide information to policy makers on public opinion regarding the relative merits of "elitist activities"…

Analysis of the voting patterns in six states on the 1976 initiatives for a moratorium on nuclear power plants. Demographic characteristics were found to be unimportant variables, while percentage of people enrolled in colleges and universities, percentage of land in farms, and relative cost of electricity were found to be important. Stresses…

The potential role of social and behavioral science in policy-making for television is large. Although it has had scant influence to data in federal regulatory action, there are numerous possibilities for future application and its relevance in policymaking outside the sphere of formal regulation is great. (Author)

Current presumptions about adolescents' incompetence as decision makers are largely unsupported by psychological research. There are psychological and social benefits in recognizing adolescents as autonomous persons with independent interests in liberty and privacy. Policymakers should consider adolescents' rights in decisions concerning…

Presents examples of unique contributions of individuals at private foundations to the emergence and growth of scientific research on child and adolescent development. Discusses specific leaders of the Carnegie Foundation and the Laura Spelman Rockefeller Memorial Fund to demonstrate how influential individuals can be in determining major…

Examines some of the factors that determine whether and how psychological research will affect public policies regarding children. Stresses the importance of the political climate in influencing research utilization and says that researchers must know when to introduce their findings into the policy making process. (Author/MJL)