This week’s must-reads: Create Consumer Habits Using These 3 Steps

In my work as a behavioral designer, I come across important stories on how psychology influences our behavior. Every week, I share my round-up of the most important stories at the intersection of psychology, technology and business. I hope you enjoy them!

Your Personality Is Changing. Here’s How to Change It for the Better (NextBigIdeaClub) Changing a trait primarily requires acting in ways that embody that trait, rather than simply thinking about it.

How Guilt Changes the Way We Spend (Psychology Today) A little guilt can go a long way, especially in terms of how we treat money.

Why Willpower is Overrated (Vox) Psychologists increasingly think effortful restraint is not the key to the good life. So what is?

Three steps to creating consumer habits (MarketingWeek) Buying habits aren’t formed overnight, but they can be created through systematic application of cues, rewards and repeat behaviour.

Invisible barriers cut down on cheating (Science News) A new study found that a see-through partition and a pretend barrier reduced cheating in students.

Straightforward vs. Complicated People (Theschooloflife) A basic distinction in humans is between those who are simple and straightforward to deal with and those who are tricky and complicated to handle.

Happy reading!

- Nir