Behavioural science 101

Are we rational?

behavioural Science 101
01

While we are capable of rationality, it is wrong to assume that we always behave in a rational manner.

For example, we know that we should save for retirement, eat healthy, and exercise. But we often don't actually do that.

So in order to bridge the gap between intention and action, we have to investigate why we often act in ways that are against our best interests

We aren't rational, and we often act in strange ways- like jaywalking, when there's a foot-over bridge nearby.
02

In the development context, this translates to research into why some people, even when they can, do not adhere to dietary requirements for their infant children, even when these requirements are based on years of knowledge. Or why pregnant women do not take iron and folic acid supplementation tablets, even though they are free and necessary for the growth of a healthy baby.

So why do we behave irrationally?

Our irrationality has meaningful consequences for issues of social impact.