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Behavioral Fatigue: Real Phenomenon, Naïve Construct, or Policy Contrivance?

Nigel Harvey1

  • 1Department of Experimental Psychology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.

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Behavioral fatigue, a concept used to justify COVID-19 policy delays, lacks sufficient evidence. This study finds the idea of behavioral fatigue is likely a myth or a naive construct, not a valid reason for policy decisions.

Keywords:
Covid-19advisorsbehavioral fatiguegovernment policymitigation

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Area of Science:

  • Behavioral Science
  • Public Health Policy
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Government COVID-19 policies in some nations invoked "behavioral fatigue" to explain non-compliance with restrictions.
  • A significant number of UK behavioral scientists questioned the empirical basis of behavioral fatigue.
  • The delay in implementing lockdown policies, partly attributed to this concept, may have contributed to substantial loss of life.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically evaluate the existence and validity of behavioral fatigue as a scientific concept.
  • To assess the evidence supporting and refuting the phenomenon of behavioral fatigue.
  • To determine if behavioral fatigue is a justifiable basis for public health policy.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of direct empirical evidence for and against behavioral fatigue.
  • Examination of indirect evidence from related psychological and sociological domains.
  • Review of the origins and application of the behavioral fatigue concept in policy.

Main Results:

  • Direct evidence supporting the existence of behavioral fatigue is insufficient and inconclusive.
  • Indirect evidence from other fields does not substantiate the concept as applied to pandemic restrictions.
  • The concept's provenance remains unclear, suggesting it may not be scientifically grounded.

Conclusions:

  • The evidence for behavioral fatigue is inadequate to inform or constrain public health policy.
  • Behavioral fatigue is likely a naive construct or a myth that emerged during the COVID-19 crisis.
  • Relying on the notion of behavioral fatigue for policy decisions is not supported by scientific evidence.