Behavioral Science, IRL

Artificial Intelligence

AI Can Make Things Easier for You, but Should It?

Patrick Gallagher Ph.D. on July 5, 2025

Research shows that cognitive effort feels unpleasant. AI can take over most of that unpleasant effort, but avoiding the discomfort could mean missing out on learning and growing.

Research shows that cognitive effort feels unpleasant. AI can take over most of that unpleasant effort, but avoiding the discomfort could mean missing out on learning and growing.

Consumer Behavior

How to See Through the Spin: Empirical Literacy

Patrick Gallagher Ph.D. on March 3, 2025

We are inundated with persuasive messages from marketers, politicians, and others. But what does the evidence actually say? Empirical literacy helps us judge.

We are inundated with persuasive messages from marketers, politicians, and others. But what does the evidence actually say? Empirical literacy helps us judge.

Boundaries

Work-Life Balance Is Your Responsibility

Patrick Gallagher Ph.D. on February 1, 2025

Flexible work makes life more convenient. But flexibility and convenience can actually harm your well-being if you don't do your part to maintain balance.

Flexible work makes life more convenient. But flexibility and convenience can actually harm your well-being if you don't do your part to maintain balance.

Career

How to Win at Hustle Culture Even if You Don’t Believe In It

Patrick Gallagher Ph.D. on October 28, 2024

Hustle culture endures, but pushing limits at work often means sacrificing health and personal pursuits. Here’s how to thrive professionally without losing what's really important.

Hustle culture endures, but pushing limits at work often means sacrificing health and personal pursuits. Here’s how to thrive professionally without losing what's really important.

Leadership

Are You Getting Nudged? Are You Sure?

Patrick Gallagher Ph.D. on August 29, 2024

Many apps claim to use nudges but instead use simple reminders that are just re-labeled as nudges. The terminology matters—true nudges use more potent behavioral science.

Many apps claim to use nudges but instead use simple reminders that are just re-labeled as nudges. The terminology matters—true nudges use more potent behavioral science.

Personality

Do Personality Trait Tests Predict What You’ll Do?

Patrick Gallagher Ph.D. on February 24, 2024

Good personality tests can predict average behavioral tendencies over time, but they cannot predict specific behaviors in specific situations.

Good personality tests can predict average behavioral tendencies over time, but they cannot predict specific behaviors in specific situations.

Personality

Personality Traits Aren’t Always What We Think They Are

Patrick Gallagher Ph.D. on October 10, 2023

Many organizations measure personality traits to predict leaders’ and workers’ performance. A different approach may be more effective.

Many organizations measure personality traits to predict leaders’ and workers’ performance. A different approach may be more effective.

Extroversion

I Miss Forced Extroversion

Patrick Gallagher Ph.D. on July 30, 2023

Working at home might be more convenient. But working with others could make us happier.

Working at home might be more convenient. But working with others could make us happier.

Career

Employee Retention for Small and Mid-Sized Businesses

Patrick Gallagher Ph.D. on April 20, 2023

Small and mid-sized businesses often have trouble hanging on to valuable employees. Centering on the employee value proposition could be the solution.

Small and mid-sized businesses often have trouble hanging on to valuable employees. Centering on the employee value proposition could be the solution.

Personality

Building a New Employee Experience With Personal Narratives

Patrick Gallagher Ph.D. on March 22, 2023

Workers are searching for more meaningful, empathetic, and personal jobs. To provide them, employers may need to get to know their personal life narratives.

Workers are searching for more meaningful, empathetic, and personal jobs. To provide them, employers may need to get to know their personal life narratives.

Career

The Voice of Evidence in Human Resources

Patrick Gallagher Ph.D. on March 1, 2023

Does your HR team know which programs deliver real benefits? People analytics can help get the evidence.

Does your HR team know which programs deliver real benefits? People analytics can help get the evidence.