What determines our behaviour?

There are plenty of concepts from social psychology to discuss. But for now, we will limit ourselves to these two:

Social norms

A social norm is an unwritten rule that most people follow automatically, for example, offering up your seat to a pregnant woman on the bus. And there are just as many agreements, rules, and laws that define social norms.

Attitudes

Another term for the position you take. In this case, we mean what you think of something. A statement like this: "Do I want to go to the zoo with you? No, thanks. Animals shouldn't be locked in a cage" gives a good picture of your attitude toward the concept of the zoo.

For Rabia, these concepts are important when researching the future.

Human behaviour is also influenced by technology.

Indeed, our attitude toward technology changes over time.

Everyone is different.

And also reacts differently to (new) technology.

Sometimes it’s like a hurtling train.

Suppose you are absolutely against the use of facial recognition in demonstrations; it might seem like there is nothing you can do about it. Nothing intervened in the progress of the refrigerator and the printing press, did it?

Rabia has a hopeful message for you.

It is indeed possible to change something, even a social norm, can be reversed.

Using lessons from the past to change social norms in the future.

- Rabia Kodapanakkal

Bias.

An assumption that affects our thinking is also referred to as a bias. Rabia explained the status quo bias in an earlier excerpt. These (un)conscious assumptions limit our ability to think about the future.

Rather a bird in the hand.

An example of bias is time preference. This means that we consider things in the present more important than things in the future. You may just miss out on an extra marshmallow, or the interests of future generations may not be considered in our decisions.

Theoretically possible.

However, if you hear this explanation after the fact, it may be a case of cognitive dissonance. After all, our brain is working hard to align our words and actions. If you don’t manage to keep the marshmallow, you’re going to convince yourself that it was a good idea to eat that marshmallow anyway.

Our human nature gets in our way.

Attitude

Every human being is different. There are also many ways to view the future. And what we consider important in it is also different for each person.

Peer pressure

Occasionally, you do something you wouldn’t do if you were on your own. Peer pressure is the influence of others on an individual's behaviour, encouraging or discouraging them from doing or not doing something. The larger the group, the more likely these behaviours are to occur.

Social norm

A social norm is an unwritten rule that most people follow automatically. They can change or be reversed over time.

Social loafing

This is a fancy word for individuals who exert less effort when working in a group. Every so often, we think someone else will take care of something. It is also common for someone to engage in social loafing because they expect others to be good at something.

Look in the mirror.

So, it is challenging to stay objective when considering the future. It doesn’t matter if you’re talking about your future or our common future.

In summary.

This chapter covered the following:

Our attitude about technology determines how quickly a technology becomes accepted and normal.
Although it often doesn’t feel like it, social norms are reversible.
Our human nature often gets in the way when it comes to dealing with change.
Time preference causes you to value a short-term effect more than a long-term (i.e., future) one.

All beginnings are difficult.

Now that you’re almost a real futures thinker, you may be wondering where to start to get things moving. Fortunately, that’s easier than many people think, and what starts small can grow surprisingly quickly. That’s what the next module is about.

Module 8 Completed!

UP NEXT: Getting started

You will be automatically redirected, or click on the button above.

Dealing with change

This course has already covered a lot.

However, one important factor is still missing: people.

We will discuss that with Rabia Kodapanakkal.