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.