Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

The Behavioral Perspective on Personality01:19

The Behavioral Perspective on Personality

322
Behaviorists view personality as primarily shaped by environmental reinforcements and consequences. According to this perspective, behavior is influenced by external stimuli, and individuals adjust their actions based on rewards and punishments. Over time, learning histories — accumulated patterns of reinforcement — play a significant role in shaping personality. Behaviors that lead to positive outcomes are reinforced, while those resulting in negative outcomes are diminished.
322
Behavior Modification01:21

Behavior Modification

141
Behavioral approaches have often been criticized for ignoring mental processes and focusing solely on observable behavior. However, these approaches provide an optimistic perspective for individuals seeking to change their behaviors. Rather than concentrating on intrinsic personality traits, behavioral approaches suggest that even longstanding habits can be modified by changing the reward contingencies that maintain them.
A real-world application of operant conditioning principles is applied...
141
Behaviorism01:28

Behaviorism

2.3K
The field of behaviorism was pioneered by figures such as Ivan Pavlov, John B. Watson, and B.F. Skinner fundamentally shifted the focus of psychology to the observable and controllable aspects of human and animal behavior. This shift marked a critical evolution in the discipline, emphasizing scientific rigor and experimental methodology.
The core premise of behaviorism is its focus on observable behavior rather than internal thoughts or feelings. This approach argues that true scientific...
2.3K
Attribution Theory00:56

Attribution Theory

13.0K
Behavior is a product of both the situation (e.g., cultural influences, social roles, and the presence of bystanders) and of the person (e.g., personality characteristics). Subfields of psychology tend to focus on one influence or behavior over others. Situationism is the view that our behavior and actions are determined by our immediate environment and surroundings. In contrast, dispositionism holds that our behavior is determined by internal factors (Heider, 1958).
13.0K
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy01:24

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy

49
Cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBTs) are grounded in the belief that our thoughts profoundly influence our emotions and actions. Advocates of CBT emphasize three core assumptions: first, that cognitions are identifiable and measurable; second, that they are central to psychological functioning; and third, that irrational or maladaptive beliefs can be replaced with rational and adaptive ones. This transformative approach to therapy has paved the way for specific models such as Albert...
49
Naturalistic Observations02:30

Naturalistic Observations

15.4K
If you want to understand how behavior occurs, one of the best ways to gain information is to simply observe the behavior in its natural context. However, people might change their behavior in unexpected ways if they know they are being observed. How do researchers obtain accurate information when people tend to hide their natural behavior? As an example, imagine that your professor asks everyone in your class to raise their hand if they always wash their hands after using the restroom. Chances...
15.4K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Investigating the replicability of the social and behavioural sciences.

Nature·2026
Same author

A megastudy of behavioral interventions to catalyze public, political, and financial climate advocacy.

PNAS nexus·2026
Same author

Measuring the semantic priming effect across many languages.

Nature human behaviour·2025
Same author

An authoritarianism-compatible text changes British attitudes towards EU immigration.

Scientific reports·2025
Same author

The wilful rejection of psychological and behavioural interventions.

Current opinion in psychology·2025
Same author

The Replication Database: Documenting the Replicability of Psychological Science.

Journal of open psychology data·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 26, 2025

Combining Behavioral Endocrinology and Experimental Economics: Testosterone and Social Decision Making
11:51

Combining Behavioral Endocrinology and Experimental Economics: Testosterone and Social Decision Making

Published on: March 2, 2011

15.1K

Behavioral science should start by assuming people are reasonable.

Jens Koed Madsen1, Lee de-Wit2, Peter Ayton3

  • 1Department of Psychological and Behavioural Sciences, London School of Economics and Political Science, Houghton Street, WC2A 2AE, London, UK.

Trends in Cognitive Sciences
|May 19, 2024
PubMed
Summary

Policymaking is more effective when assuming human behavior is reasonable, not irrational. Understanding goals and systemic factors helps behavioral science shape better public policy.

Keywords:
behavioral sciencedecision makingpublic policy

More Related Videos

The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients
05:48

The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients

Published on: June 12, 2020

5.7K
Boldness, Aggression, and Shoaling Assays for Zebrafish Behavioral Syndromes
08:43

Boldness, Aggression, and Shoaling Assays for Zebrafish Behavioral Syndromes

Published on: August 29, 2016

10.3K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 26, 2025

Combining Behavioral Endocrinology and Experimental Economics: Testosterone and Social Decision Making
11:51

Combining Behavioral Endocrinology and Experimental Economics: Testosterone and Social Decision Making

Published on: March 2, 2011

15.1K
The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients
05:48

The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients

Published on: June 12, 2020

5.7K
Boldness, Aggression, and Shoaling Assays for Zebrafish Behavioral Syndromes
08:43

Boldness, Aggression, and Shoaling Assays for Zebrafish Behavioral Syndromes

Published on: August 29, 2016

10.3K

Area of Science:

  • Behavioral Science
  • Public Policy
  • Decision-Making

Background:

  • Traditional policymaking often implicitly assumes human irrationality.
  • This assumption can limit the effectiveness of behavioral interventions.
  • A need exists for a more accurate framework of human behavior in policy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To challenge the assumption of human irrationality in policymaking.
  • To propose a "reasonable" human behavior framework.
  • To enhance the application of behavioral science in public policy.

Main Methods:

  • Synthesized empirical evidence on human decision-making.
  • Reviewed theoretical models of behavior.
  • Examined philosophical arguments regarding rationality.
  • Proposed a framework focusing on goals and systemic factors.

Main Results:

  • Human behavior is often reasonable when considering underlying goals and context.
  • Assuming reasonableness allows for more targeted and effective policy design.
  • This reframing enhances the utility of behavioral science for policy.

Conclusions:

  • Policymaking should adopt a "reasonable" human behavior model.
  • Understanding individual and systemic factors is key.
  • This approach improves the efficacy of behavioral science in shaping public policy.