{"id":316,"date":"2021-04-19T13:09:50","date_gmt":"2021-04-19T20:09:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/biwiki\/?page_id=316"},"modified":"2026-06-29T12:27:29","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T19:27:29","slug":"library","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/biwiki\/library\/","title":{"rendered":"BI Library"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Behavioural Insights
101 & Library<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Behavioural Insights (BI) uses research methods and results from the behavioural and decision sciences (especially psychology and economics) to explore how we make decisions and<\/em> how to help us make better decisions\u2014decisions that are healthier, more financially sound, and\/or happier. Behaviourally-informed solutions can help \u201cnudge\u201d us toward decisions that have a positive impact on individuals, communities and organizations, and the planet. BI relies on rigorous testing to evaluate new solutions and support evidence-based policies, programs, and decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To learn more, check out the resources below and on another pages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

*Resources are continually being added to this page. Submit suggestions to dibs@sauder.ubc.ca<\/a>.*<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Behavioural Insights?<\/h2>
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Using a combination of social science methods, the discipline of Behavioural Insights (BI) examines how people behave and make decisions in the real world. Although most of us have good intentions \u2013 we want to eat better, save more, exercise more \u2013 we don\u2019t always make decisions in our own best interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By accounting for the ways that people make decisions and behave in the real world, we can better design programs, policies, services, and products. We can use this knowledge to design and test improved approaches or new approaches that will encourage positive changes in consumers, citizens, or employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein\u2019s 2008 book Nudge <\/em>encouraged policymakers and executives to consider making small evidence-based<\/em> changes to policy and product development and design to encourage people to make choices that will increase \u201chealth, wealth, and happiness\u201d. Importantly, these changes should be rigorously tested before being rolled out widely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the decade since Nudge<\/em> was published, there has been a growing body of research that examines how to effectively bring about behaviour change. Simultaneously, businesses and governments around the world have started to see the potential in designing programs, policies, services, and products for how people actually <\/em>behave. Integrating BI into policy and product development and design provides an alternative to complex legislation and\/or costly marketing; BI changes often cost very little to test and implement, yet have large impacts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Governments and organizations around the world are building BI capacity into their operations. At last count, there were well over 200 BI units around the world; Canada is no exception with BI units at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels of government and BI being actively used by over a dozen Crown corporations and within many leading Canadian businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adapted from Liz Hardy & Rodney Ghali\u2019s 2019 Apolitical<\/em> article: Moving beyond nudges: What\u2019s next for behavioural insights?<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Bite-Size BI Tutorials<\/h2>
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We have a library of short videos<\/a> that provide 1- to 2-minute introductions to key Behavioural Insights ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n