Blog
We Tested Strategies to Help People Remember Their Prescription Drug Information—And Increased Recall by 17%
Americans have a drug problem: we don’t take our prescriptions. In fact, 50% of people stop taking their high blood pressure medication within 1 year…
5 Ways Peloton Keeps Users Moving (Even When They Don’t Want To)
Starting a new workout or fitness routine is challenging, yet many are motivated to try, especially this time of year. It takes weeks to develop…
6 Proven Strategies for Getting Patients to Engage With Your Digital Health Product Using Behavioral Science
So you’re a health plan or health tech that takes on patients. The only problem is you can’t seem to get in touch with them.…
Want to Reduce ER Visits? Try These System-Level Interventions from Behavioral Science.
I went to the emergency room (ER) 3 times in 2 weeks when my dad got sick. It was exhausting, frustrating, and overwhelming. And after…
3B Framework: The Irrational Labs Approach to Behavior Change
Meet the Irrational Labs 3B Framework The list of behavioral economics principles for behavior change is long. Loss aversion, social proof— there are so…
Open-Plan Offices are Bad for Us. Here’s How Behavioral Design Can Make Them Better
Mention open plan offices at the water cooler and you're sure to spark debate. Opinions on them have always been divided. But a new trend—the…
Cognitive Bias in Healthcare: 3 Causes of Physician Irrationality (& How to Overcome Them)
Imagine that you went to three different doctors for chronic ankle injuries. The first one recommends surgery on your right foot. The second proposes custom…
A Pregnant Behavioral Scientist
I’m pregnant. And I’m a behavioral scientist. Throughout pregnancy, there has been a lot to study — about my own behavior, my partner’s behavior, and…
3 Ways Class Pass Uses Behavioral Science to Get Us to Work Out More
Note: This post was originally published on April 8th. We’ve since updated it with an addendum on one way Class Pass is using behavioral science…
New Research with One Medical Drives 20% Increase in Doctor Appointments
One Medical and Irrational Labs Work to Advance the Member’s Health Journey Meeting with a provider on a regular basis is associated with increased…
Loss Aversion: How One Guy Used A (Brilliant) Incentive on his Girlfriend
My lovely friend Kristen Berman hates wearing her contact lenses. In fact, she has wanted to get LASIK for some time. However, like the rest…
The Exercise Research Behind Peloton’s Success
The Science Behind the Science of Change The Science of Change is a new podcast hosted by behavioral scientist and co-founder of Irrational Labs, Kristen…
Habits in Physical Activity: Papers We’re Reading, Week 10
Working out is one of the best steps we could take for our mind and body. Regular exercise can dramatically improve heart health, help retain…
Social Judgment: Papers We’re Reading, Week 8
Have you ever met someone you liked and you enjoyed speaking with, but felt you didn’t quite come across the way you wanted to in…
NeuGen and Irrational Labs Form Strategic Partnership
Irrational Labs today announced it will partner with NeuGen to increase accessibility of telemedicine services using behavioral science. Telemedicine has surged amidst the COVID-19 pandemic…
Most People Are Feeling Lonely These Days. Our Behavioral Science Experiment Found an Unexpected Way of Boosting Connection
Feeling lonely lately? You’re not the only one. COVID-19 has provoked unprecedented feelings of isolation and loneliness. It has cut us off from loved…
Research Shows the Pandemic Has Americans Eating Way More Cereal. Here’s Why That’s a Problem.
There’s more sugar in a bowl of Raisin Bran than a Snicker’s bar. It’s time to change our breakfast habits No one would give a…
Micro-Actions, Mistakes, and Misinformation: Papers We’re Reading: Week 7
Helping Others Forget Bad Experiences Mistakes are an inevitable part of life. Despite making every effort to keep our word and fulfill our obligations, every…
Explicit and Implicit Biases: Papers We’re Reading, Week 5
Does prompting people to recognize their own implicit gender bias decrease sexism? Researchers explored this question by inducing an "aha" moment amongst study participants and…
5 Behavioral Science Hacks to Convince the Unwilling to Get Vaccinated
By Kristen Berman, Deena Rosen, Evelyn Gosnell, & Richard Mathera With more than one-third of Americans saying they’re unlikely to take the COVID-19…
Presentation: Papers We’re Reading, Week 2
This is a timely study on how the quality of gift-wrapping can change people’s attitudes about the present inside. The research team includes a married…
The Biggest Missing Element in Most Product Experiences, According to Behavioral Science: Does Yours Have It?
Libby was new to backpacking. Her first trip was a 4-day trek through the Sierras with a good friend who was far more experienced. Before…
Reframing the Loneliness Epidemic
By Irrational Lab’s Dan Ariely, Kristen Berman, Evelyn Gosnell, Sara Dadkhah Lindsay Juarez, and Maritz Global Events’ Charlotte Blank, Russ Frey The “loneliness epidemic” was…
Don’t Hate Yourself for Scrolling. It’s Not All Your Fault.
There is a general discomfort brewing around the increased use of our mobile devices. The word “smartphone addiction” has casually entered our lexicon, and…
It’s Not Always about Making Things Easier: When to Make Your Sign-Up Flow Harder
Product developers and UX designers can all agree — reducing the number of steps in a sign-up flow is Product Design 101. Less friction translates…
Fitness Trackers: What’s the Verdict on Behavior Change?
Fitness trackers have come a long way from the clunky and unreliable plastic devices they once were. Today’s versions are well-designed, more accessible…
How to Get More Done: Use A Commitment Device
We all struggle with our goals, whether it’s to eat healthier, work out more often, or be more productive at work. After all, there are…
Connecting with Your Future Self: Can Understanding Psychology Help Us Age Gracefully?
I just celebrated my birthday this Saturday. It was a familiar birthday scene, being surrounded by close friends at a nice restaurant. It did make…