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Behavioral Fatigue: Real Phenomenon, Naïve Construct, or Policy Contrivance?
1Department of Experimental Psychology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
Frontiers in Psychology
|November 23, 2020
Summary
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.
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.
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