Mindspace - local Councils use it

Institute for Government and Cabinet Office document on how to influence behaviour by public policy

Looking through my old files while setting up a new laptop I came across this document from a few years ago.

It is called Mindspace.

https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publications/mindspace

Mindspace

1.59MB ∙ PDF file

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This documents sets the foundations initially for the “nudge policy” and later the use of the Behavioural Insights Team during the great covid non-pandemic of 2020 we all lived through.

Originally it was for local councils to use to drive through policies they wanted - the old problem, reaction, solution scenario - and if you read it you will suddenly realise how much of the narrative and agendas are being driven by manipulation to achieve a set policy.

This is from the website’s blurb:

New insights from science and behaviour change could lead to significantly improved outcomes, and at a lower cost, than the way many conventional policy tools are used.

MINDSPACE explores how behaviour change theory can help meet current policy challenges, such as how to:

• reduce crime

• tackle obesity

• ensure environmental sustainability.

Today's policy makers are in the business of influencing behaviour - they need to understand the effects their policies may be having. The aim of MINDSPACE is to help them do this, and in doing so get better outcomes for the public and society.

A companion paper, Behavioural Government, was published in 2018. This new report builds on the Behavioural Insights Team’s work on applying behavioural insights to policymaking and the Institute for Government’s work on better policy making. 

Here’s a link to the Behavioural Government report:

https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/sites/default/files/publications/BIT%20Behavioural%20Government%20Report.pdf

Taken together the documents describe the decision making process in the UK (and others) and how public opinion is manipulated to achieve what is wanted.