UK Government Use of Behavioural Science Strategies in Covid-Event Messaging: Responsibility and Communication Ethics in Times of ‘Crisis’
A new paper by Dr Gary Sidley, UK Government Use of Behavioural Science Strategies in Covid-Event Messaging, brings a detailed and refreshing objective analysis of the widespread use of behavioural science in the messages put out by government sources to, effectively, nudge us in a desired direction of response (fear, do-what-the-govt-says, condemn others who don’t, etc) — where much of the public wasn’t even aware of why and what they were thinking and doing.
“These psychological methods of persuasion often operate below people’s conscious awareness, and frequently rely on inflating emotional discomfort to change behaviour. In particular, the state’s often-covert deployment of fear inflation, guilt/shame and peer pressure/scapegoating to strengthen the Covid communications strategy has evoked ethical concerns…. The implications of these findings for future state-funded public communications during times of ‘crisis’ are discussed.”
For the full paper, see the window below, which can also be downloaded. Feel free to share!