Publications from ODSW Social Insights: Letters by DSW (Vol 2) | Page 109

Practice Issues

Challenge for re-design
Now that behavioral science has shown another explanation of what drives
human behavior besides the common assumptions, re-designing is possible
by paying attention to situations that trigger certain behaviours. Research
in social psychology has now shown that practitioners, their actions and
words can influence a given situation or the overall environment in small
but influential ways. This can have meaningful effects on the behaviour
of clients and participants of programmes. In other words, small changes
can generate large results. So, re-designing parts in the process of helping
especially at the points that can influence and motivate clients, will go some
way to draw out more helpful behaviours in clients.
References
Dolan, P., Hallsworth, M., Halpern, D., King, D., & Vlaev, I. (2009). Institute
for Government. Retrieved from Institute for Government: http://www.
instituteforgovernment.org.uk/sites/default/files/publications/MINDSPACE.
pdf
Kahneman, D. (2011). Thinking, Fast and Slow. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation. (2014, April). Administration
for Children & Families. Retrieved from Administration for Children &
Families:
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/opre/bias_final_full_
report_rev4_15_14.pdf
Sunstein, C. R., & Thaler, R. H. (2008). Nudge. Yale University Press.

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