Posts Tagged ‘peer pressure’

Opinionaided

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

0
Comments

Tags: , , , ,

Posted in:
Erin Hearn


What is it: A mobile phone app that allows users to asks opinions of their contacts on various topics. The app has been up and running for about a month where its users can seek advice on a wide range of public topics, including: “Would you wear teal, fuschia or purple yoga pants?”, the questions can be accompanied by photo’s to illustrate the questions.

Why is it cool: New digital communication tools will change the way we do research. Sure, market researchers can already do surveys on mobile phones, but what functionality with apps bring? How must survey language change for the evolving research media? And what are the impacts on sampling of interviewing social clusters or cascades (e.g. cost, representivity). Exciting times!

Where to find it: here!

Submitted by: Erin Hearn

I learned it from you!

Monday, December 14th, 2009

0
Comments

Tags: ,

Posted in:
John Cucka

Monkey see, monkey do

What is it: New research has uncovered the contagiousness of blame – that is, if you see people blaming others for mistakes and problems, you are more likely to blame others yourself. As well they have confirmed the contra-positive, that if you see others taking responsibility for their mistakes and problems, you are more likely to take responsibility within your own life.

Why is it cool: Aside from the importance of being conscious of this effect, so that we can counter it in our own lives, this underscores the power we all exert, passively, on each other through our actions. If you want more positivity in your life, be the positive person, and watch others reflect it back to you.

Where to find it: here!

Submitted by: John Cucka

We have met the enemy and it is us

Wednesday, September 9th, 2009

0
Comments

Tags: ,

Posted in:
John Cucka

Adults drink shots, so this must be fine...

What is it: Red Bull, the biggest “energy drink” seller, has launched a tiny, 60ml, shot size. Priced above its normal beverage, it purports to contain all the “energy” of a full 500ml beverage. By packing so much punch into a tiny package (as opposed to a 500ml beverage, which limits consumption due to stomach capacity), it’s actually leading to kids “over-dosing” on caffeine.

Why is it cool: First, it highlights the human penchant for distilling things down to their essence until it’s actually bad for us (think poppy plants). Second, it demonstrates that marketing cannot be trusted to self-regulate. Is it any wonder the nanny-state has to constantly jump in and slap restrictions on us? Do we have anyone to blame but ourselves?

Where to find it: 60ml shot here! health impact story here!

Submitted by: John Cucka

Police autonomy

Friday, June 20th, 2008

0
Comments

Tags: , ,

Posted in:
John Cucka

What community policing might look like

What is it: A fascinating blog entry, in which long-time police officers speak frankly about how they regularly operate outside the law to get better criminal deterrent results than courts provide.

Why is it cool: Not only do many of these things sound reasonable (picture the things mums and dads do to keep their kids in line), but it’s funny how much web 2.0 resembles community policing, where the network of individuals directly involved make a consensual decision on how to deal with their rogue elements.

Where to find it: here!

Submitted by: John Cucka

Leveraging peer pressure

Friday, February 15th, 2008

0
Comments

Tags: ,

Posted in:
Anna Russell

pavlov

What is it: A number of websites have sprung up which allow you to take out a contract on some behaviour you are in control of. If you fail, you must pay a charity (or anti-charity) or your choice. Although reporting your results is strictly honour-based, the use of peer pressure has proven remarkably effective. In the linked article, it’s proven more effective at motivating weight loss than a number of store-bought plans.

Why is it cool: Aversive stimuli used to create behaviour change is well documented, including the famous experiments by Pavlov.

This article showcases a way that aversive stimuli can be used to generate behaviour modification in the world of interactive media. This suggests a powerfully productive ‘shame’ mechanism that could be applied to all sorts of contexts e.g. making politicians stick to election promises.

Ultimately this is about harnessing the power of the media – online in this case – as a behaviour moderating device. It’s also an interesting insight into how the human mind works in that, contrary to opinion, aversion is a stronger incentive than reward.

Where to find it: here!

Submitted by: Anna Russell