A synthesis of evidence for policy from behavioural science during COVID-19
Authors: Ruggeri Kai , Stock Friederike , Haslam S. Alexander , Capraro Valerio , Boggio Paulo , Ellemers Naomi , Cichocka Aleksandra , Douglas Karen M. , Rand David G. , van der Linden Sander , Cikara Mina , Finkel Eli J. , Druckman James N. , Wohl Michael J. A. , Petty Richard E. , Tucker Joshua A. , Shariff Azim , Gelfand Michele , Packer Dominic , Jetten Jolanda , Van Lange Paul A. M. , Pennycook Gordon , Peters Ellen , Baicker Katherine , Crum Alia , Weeden Kim A. , Napper Lucy , Tabri Nassim , Zaki Jamil , Skitka Linda , Kitayama Shinobu , Mobbs Dean , Sunstein Cass R. , Ashcroft-Jones Sarah , Todsen Anna Louise , Hajian Ali , Verra Sanne , Buehler Vanessa , Friedemann Maja , Hecht Marlene , Mobarak Rayyan S. , Karakasheva Ralitsa , Tünte Markus R. , Yeung Siu Kit , Rosenbaum R. Shayna , Lep Žan , Yamada Yuki , Hudson Sa-kiera Tiarra Jolynn , Macchia Lucía , Soboleva Irina , Dimant Eugen , Geiger Sandra J. , Jarke Hannes , Wingen Tobias , Berkessel Jana B. , Mareva Silvana , McGill Lucy , Papa Francesca , Većkalov Bojana , Afif Zeina , Buabang Eike K. , Landman Marna , Tavera Felice , Andrews Jack L. , Bursalıoğlu Aslı , Zupan Zorana , Wagner Lisa , Navajas Joaquín , Vranka Marek , Kasdan David , Chen Patricia , Hudson Kathleen R. , Novak Lindsay M. , Teas Paul , Rachev Nikolay R. , Galizzi Matteo M. , Milkman Katherine L. , Petrović Marija , Van Bavel Jay J. , Willer Robb 
Published: December 2023

AbstractScientific evidence regularly guides policy decisions1, with behavioural science increasingly part of this process2. In April 2020, an influential paper3 proposed 19 policy recommendations (‘claims’) detailing how evidence from behavioural science could contribute to efforts to reduce impacts and end the COVID-19 pandemic. Here we assess 747 pandemic-related research articles that empirically investigated those claims. We report the scale of evidence and whether evidence supports them to indicate applicability for policymaking. Two independent teams, involving 72 reviewers, found evidence for 18 of 19 claims, with both teams finding evidence supporting 16 (89%) of those 18 claims. The strongest evidence supported claims that anticipated culture, polarization and misinformation would be associated with policy effectiveness. Claims suggesting trusted leaders and positive social norms increased adherence to behavioural interventions also had strong empirical support, as did appealing to social consensus or bipartisan agreement. Targeted language in messaging yielded mixed effects and there were no effects for highlighting individual benefits or protecting others. No available evidence existed to assess any distinct differences in effects between using the terms ‘physical distancing’ and ‘social distancing’. Analysis of 463 papers containing data showed generally large samples; 418 involved human participants with a mean of 16,848 (median of 1,699). That statistical power underscored improved suitability of behavioural science research for informing policy decisions. Furthermore, by implementing a standardized approach to evidence selection and synthesis, we amplify broader implications for advancing scientific evidence in policy formulation and prioritization.