10 Myths to Reconsider when Facing Setbacks

It’s not always the problem itself that is holding us back, but how we look at it. As the saying goes: ‘When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change’. Reconsider these 10 myths when you are faced with a setback at work.

How to Recognise (In)effective Homeworkers

Since the pandemic, discussions started on the effectiveness of remote working, the main question being: are people productive when working from home? Assistant Professor Katlijn Haesebrouck shares the conclusions from her research in this podcast.

Charities Cannot Rely on the Super-Rich

The rich often place the moral responsibility to donate on people with even more money. "If you ask someone with half a million why they don't give more, the answer is often that someone with 2 million should do that” says Professor Paul Smeets.

Five Ways to Drop your Ego and Get Stuff Done

The ego is important, as it contributes to our feelings of self-importance and self-awareness, but it can sometimes get in your way. Increased awareness and continual practice will sharpen your ego-taming skills over time, says Salman Raza.

Make Time for What You Love

Professor Paul Smeets, who researches the relationship between happiness and money, has become affectionately known as 'The happiness professor'. His advice for all of us: "Prosperity only becomes well-being if you have time for what you love."

Does an Expensive Hobby make you Happy?

Playing the violin, football or collecting stamps: hobbies come in all shapes and sizes. We are prepared to spend a lot of money on them. But does an expensive hobby make you happy? Our ‘Happiness Professor’ Paul Smeets shares his insights.

Predictably Irrational Behaviour

People do not always make rational decisions. However, it could be argued that human behaviour is ‘predictably irrational’, which brings with it great opportunities for those who want to improve their decision-making procedures, says Edward Huizenga.

The Effects and Ethics of Behavioural Interventions

Predicting people’s behaviour and designing policies in a way that ‘nudges’ behaviour in a certain direction can lead to better policy-making and improved management. Thomas Meissner and Jona Linde elaborate on the effects and ethics of nudging.

Carrots Make you Buy Grapes instead of Cookies

How do you get customers to choose healthy products in the supermarket? PhD candidate Gitta van den Enden demonstrates how consumers change their preference between two options when an attractive third option – a so-called ‘decoy’ – is presented.

Behavioural Insights & Change

On 4 November 2021, we hosted an online Tea & Talent session in partnership with UM-BIC and BIN-NL to address recent research on behaviour and behavioural change, focusing on practical applications for managers and policy makers.