FUN FACT
Did you know, 86% of people in Britain sing in the shower?
Favourite shower anthems include:
- Madonna’s ‘Like a Virgin’
- Whitney Houston’s ‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody’
- Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’
- ‘Wonderwall’ by Oasis
- Lionel Richie's ‘Dancing on the Ceiling’
Source: Ideal Home
'BS' OF THE MONTH
A one-minute introduction to a behavioural theory
Present Bias - Why people care more about the NOW than the future
Present Bias theory describes the tendency of individuals to prioritise immediate rewards or losses over long-term benefits and issues. This cognitive bias leads people to focus on short-term pleasures or avoid immediate discomfort, often at the expense of their future well-being.
For example, a lot of people struggle to prioritise regular exercise due to the immediate time, effort, and discomfort it requires. Despite knowing that regular physical activity offers long-term benefits like improved fitness, weight management, and overall health, the immediate inconvenience often outweighs the future advantages in their decision-making process.
According to the World Health Organisation, nearly 1.8 billion adults worldwide are at risk of disease from not doing enough physical activity (World Health Organisation, June 2024). This alarming statistic highlights the widespread impact of Present Bias on public health. For those looking for quick fixes, such as diets for summer bodies or holidays, it's crucial to address the underlying issue of physical inactivity. On the other hand, people looking to lose weight quickly for an upcoming holiday or event, may look at extreme methods of dieting or exercising to lose large amounts of weight quickly, not realising the unhealthy or dangerous impacts of losing too much weight too quickly.
To further explore the implications of physical inactivity and strategies to overcome Present Bias, watch our Academy webinar, "We Need to Talk: Physical Inactivity" to gain valuable insights and practical advice on how to encourage people to get up and get active, even if they have no motivation to do so.
CAMPAIGN SPOTLIGHT OF THE MONTH
This month, we're spotlighting Dove's powerful campaign, "The Code." Dove has long been a champion for real beauty and self-esteem, and "The Code" continues their legacy by tackling the issue of beauty standards and the impact of social media and AI on young people.
"The Code" addresses the urgent need to redefine beauty standards in the age of AI and social media. By focussing on the unrealistic expectations set by heavily edited and filtered images, Dove is sparking a crucial conversation about authenticity and self-acceptance, a critical issue on impressionable youth.
The campaign features compelling videos, real-life stories, and emotional content that resonates with audiences of all ages. Dove's use of real people rather than models reinforces the message that beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, and forms.
Ultimately, Dove's "The Code" campaign is a brilliant example of how brands can use their influence to drive social change and support the well-being of their audience. Their campaign uses cognitive dissonance, emotional appeal, and social norms to influence consumer attitudes and behaviours. By aligning its message with behavioural insights, Dove not only promotes self-acceptance and well-being but also fosters a broader cultural shift towards real beauty and inclusivity.
INITIATIVE OF THE MONTH
Summer Ready Deal - Yeomans
Yeomans is offering a Summer Ready deal, that includes an air conditioning service, Vehicle Health Check, plus a FREE wash & vacuum. However, customers are given the choice to plant a tree instead of receiving the wash and vacuum.
As part of this initiative, Yeomans Volkswagen Helston planted 26 trees in May, whilst Yeomans ŠKODA Exeter planted 35 trees in June, bringing the total to 126 and saved 2,100 litres of water!
This raises an interesting question: will customers prefer the environmental impact of planting a tree over the immediate personal satisfaction of a freshly washed car? We’ll be keeping an eye on the uptake!
What would you choose? Vote in our latest social post here
WHAT'S HAPPENED AT SOCIAL CHANGE HQ
Daisy attended Nudgestock 2024
Our Head of Behavioural Insights, Daisy, attended Nudgestock 2024, the world’s largest behavioural science event. This year’s theme looked at "TIME" - how we use it and its untold influence on human behaviour.
After reflecting on the event, she’s come up with five key takeaways that have relevance personally, professionally, and in the world of behaviour change.
Kelly and Alison went to the Robots are Coming, The Agency AI Conference
Kelly and Alison attended The Robots are Coming, The Agency AI Conference in London, where they witnessed firsthand how AI is transforming agency operations!
Team Challenge: Spend Nothing Day
On 25th July the Social Change team took part in an inspiring challenge: Spend Nothing for a Day!
Using the Self-Determination Behavioural Science theory, we embraced resourcefulness, sustainability, and teamwork as we went a full day without spending a single penny (...well some of us did!).
Click here to see how we got creative with our resources and learn about our successes and challenges.
WHAT'S IN THE NEWS
The recent King’s Speech outlined the government’s ambitious plans for economic growth, workers' rights, and improved corporate governance while emphasising the need for strategic partnerships between government and businesses. This opens a window of opportunity to change the way all UK businesses approach key decisions.
Labour’s focus on sustainable growth highlights the importance of the Better Business Act, which will ensure that businesses align the interests of people and planet with profit. Social Change is proud to be among the 3,000 businesses supporting the Better Business Act. Momentum is gaining traction, with numerous indications that we are progressing in the right direction.
This would enable the government to partner with every business across the economy and research has shown that purpose-led business models could boost growth and attract investment if adopted at scale.
If you support this change in law, we encourage you to sign up, and support.