What leads decision makers to decide to implement or scale up a program? Research evidence may be one factor, but, as we know, lots of other factors can play in as well. Three of those factors are what are called cognitive biases, including: confirmation bias status quo bias bandwagon bias Understanding those biases — which […]


The post Three cognitive biases that can influence decision makers’ use of evidence about what works: An interview with Ariel Kalil, University of Chicago – Episode #185 appeared first on Gov Innovator Podcast.

What leads decision makers to decide to implement or scale up a program? Research evidence may be one factor, but, as we know, lots of other factors can play in as well. Three of those factors are what are called cognitive biases, including:

confirmation bias
status quo bias
bandwagon bias

Understanding those biases — which have been well-researched in the past, but are newly being applied to the context of evidence use by decision makers — can help public leaders make better decisions. To learn more, we’re joined by Dr. Ariel Kalil (@ariel_kalil). She’s a developmental psychologist and a professor at the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy and directs the school’s Center for Human Potential and Public Policy and co-directs the Behavioral Insights and Parenting Lab. She’s also an adjunct professor in the Norwegian School of Economics in Bergen, Norway.


The post Three cognitive biases that can influence decision makers’ use of evidence about what works: An interview with Ariel Kalil, University of Chicago – Episode #185 appeared first on Gov Innovator Podcast.

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