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Practical behavioural solutions to COVID-19: Changing the role of behavioural science in crises

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  • Charlotte C Tanis
  • Floor H Nauta
  • Meier J Boersma
  • Maya V Van der Steenhoven
  • Denny Borsboom
  • Tessa F Blanken

Abstract

For a very long time in the COVID-19 crisis, behavioural change leading to physical distancing behaviour was the only tool at our disposal to mitigate virus spread. In this large-scale naturalistic experimental study we show how we can use behavioural science to find ways to promote the desired physical distancing behaviour. During seven days in a supermarket we implemented different behavioural interventions: (i) rewarding customers for keeping distance; (i) providing signage to guide customers; and (iii) altering shopping cart regulations. We asked customers to wear a tag that measured distances to other tags using ultra-wide band at 1Hz. In total N = 4, 232 customers participated in the study. We compared the number of contacts (

Suggested Citation

  • Charlotte C Tanis & Floor H Nauta & Meier J Boersma & Maya V Van der Steenhoven & Denny Borsboom & Tessa F Blanken, 2022. "Practical behavioural solutions to COVID-19: Changing the role of behavioural science in crises," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 17(10), pages 1-14, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0272994
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272994
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