Unlocking Behaviour Change

Robert West
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  • SOCIAL SCIENCES

Unlocking Behaviour Change is a podcast delving into psychology and motivation. Join Professor Robert West, a world-leading behavioural scientist, and Jamie West, a writer and musician, as they explore the human mind with practical insights and a touch of humour. Whether you’re into psychology, behaviour science, or just want to understand yourself (and others) a little better, this podcast is for you. Check out our latest books: Energise: The Secrets Of Motivation: https://shorturl.at/bbA7y React: Harness Your Animal Brain: https://shorturl.at/yiFQ9 Sign up to Robert’s Substack: https://robertwest100.substack.com/ Subscribe to the UBC YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@unlockingbehaviourchange

  1. 4D AGO

    Unlocking Behaviour Change Episode 36: Introduction to the COM-B model Part 2 - how the components interact

    You can do it! Or . . . can you? When does believing in your own abilities help you achieve your goals? In this episode, Robert and Jamie explore how the different elements of the COM-B model interact. They clear up a bit of confusion about whether self-efficacy sits better with capability or motivation, and why the capability factor 'understanding the costs and benefits of doing something' primarily exerts its influence through motivation ...  Even seasoned COM-B aficionados should find something of interest in this episode. Want more? Check out our latest books:   Energise: The Secrets Of Motivation: https://shorturl.at/bbA7y  React: Harness Your Animal Brain: https://shorturl.at/yiFQ9   Sign up to Robert’s Substack: https://robertwest100.substack.com/   Subscribe to the UBC YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@unlockingbehaviourchange

    29 min

  2. JAN 20

    Unlocking Behaviour Change Podcast Episode 35: An introduction to the COM-B Model of behaviour

    Having finished their series on decision-making, Robert and Jamie start a new series that delves into a widely used model of human behaviour, designed to guide interventions that influence behaviour. Many podcast listeners will be very familiar with this model, and many won't. Either way, Robert and Jamie try to bring the model to life in a way that is accessible to specialists and non-specialists alike.  Want more? Check out our latest books:   Energise: The Secrets Of Motivation: https://shorturl.at/bbA7y  React: Harness Your Animal Brain: https://shorturl.at/yiFQ9   Sign up to Robert’s Substack: https://robertwest100.substack.com/   Subscribe to the UBC YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@unlockingbehaviourchange

    27 min

  3. JAN 13

    Unlocking Behaviour Change Podcast Episode 34: Key lessons about real-world decision making

    It’s the last episode of the season! Robert and Jamie go on a whistle-stop tour through the FACET framework for understanding real-world decision-making: (Framing, Assessing, Comparing, Enacting and Time). They offer some of their favourite decision-making tips from the last season. These include: the importance of getting the decision 'frame right' as this conditions everything that follows; getting the right decision rule when choosing between options, taking account of our attitude to risk; the role of emotion in decision making, both in how we feel about the possible outcomes but also in how they influence the way we go about the process of decision-making; the concept of 'deciding about deciding' - making sure we reflect on how we are going about the process of decision-making and not just going with the flow; the distinction between willingness and desire and knowing when to sacrifice desire for willingness so we don't end up with the worst of all worlds; and ultimately to judge decision making on how we go about it rather than just the outcomes, which are often out of our control. Thanks to all our listeners, and we will see you next week for something completely/somewhat different . . .   Want more? Check out our latest books:   Energise: The Secrets Of Motivation: https://shorturl.at/bbA7y  React: Harness Your Animal Brain: https://shorturl.at/yiFQ9   Sign up to Robert’s Substack: https://robertwest100.substack.com/   Subscribe to the UBC YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@unlockingbehaviourchange

    27 min

  4. JAN 6

    Unlocking Behaviour Change Podcast Episode 33: How to decide whom to trust as an expert

    How do you spot a ‘dubious’ expert? What signs should you look out for? What counts as reliable evidence? And ultimately . . . who can you trust? Robert and Jamie offer tips and advice on navigating the information that bombards us every day.    Want more? Check out our latest books:   Energise: The Secrets Of Motivation: https://shorturl.at/bbA7y  React: Harness Your Animal Brain: https://shorturl.at/yiFQ9   Sign up to Robert’s Substack: https://robertwest100.substack.com/   Subscribe to the UBC YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@unlockingbehaviourchange

    26 min

  5. 2025-12-29

    Unlocking Behaviour Change Podcast Episode 32: Embrace 'the power to disbelieve'

    This is the first of a two-part episode on how best to use advice and information from so-called 'experts'. When and how much should we trust them? What does healthy scepticism look like? Robert reflects on his time in SPI-B advising the UK government and discusses the importance of behavioural science in helping shape and understand behaviour.  Want more? Check out our latest books:   Energise: The Secrets Of Motivation: https://shorturl.at/bbA7y  React: Harness Your Animal Brain: https://shorturl.at/yiFQ9   Sign up to Robert’s Substack: https://robertwest100.substack.com/   Subscribe to the UBC YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@unlockingbehaviourchange

    27 min

  6. 2025-12-22

    Unlocking Behaviour Change Podcast Episode 31: The benefits and pitfalls of democratic decision-making

    How do democracies work? Can there ever be a perfect voting system? What is the difference between desire and willingness? Deep dive with Robert and Jamie into the often murky and fraught world of democratic decision-making.   Want more? Check out our latest books:   Energise: The Secrets Of Motivation: https://shorturl.at/bbA7y  React: Harness Your Animal Brain: https://shorturl.at/yiFQ9   Sign up to Robert’s Substack: https://robertwest100.substack.com/   Subscribe to the UBC YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@unlockingbehaviourchange

    29 min

  7. 2025-12-16

    Unlocking Behaviour Change Podcast Episode 30: Groupthink, risky shift and nuclear war!

    In this episode Robert gets it the wrong way round, citing the Cuban Missile Crisis as an example of how groupthink brought the West to the brink of nuclear war when in fact it was previous decisions such as authorising the failed invasion of Cuba that had exhibited groupthink and President Kennedy learned the lessons from this and set up decision-making processes that addressed this particular bias. For more info see https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352178533_Rethinking_Group_Dynamics_The_Cuban_Missile_Crisis_Revisited Anyway ...   Want more? Check out our latest books:   Energise: The Secrets Of Motivation: https://shorturl.at/bbA7y  React: Harness Your Animal Brain: https://shorturl.at/yiFQ9   Sign up to Robert’s Substack: https://robertwest100.substack.com/   Subscribe to the UBC YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@unlockingbehaviourchange

    26 min

  8. 2025-12-09

    Unlocking Behaviour Change Podcast Episode 29: The ebb and flow of group decision making

    Crucial decisions that affect our lives are made in 'groups', which technically can range from two or more people, as in the flight crew of a commercial jet, to the voting population of a country. This episode begins to examine how group decisions are made. Robert and Jamie analyse the ebb and flow of discussions and the art of skilful chairing.  Want more? Check out our latest books:   Energise: The Secrets Of Motivation: https://shorturl.at/bbA7y  React: Harness Your Animal Brain: https://shorturl.at/yiFQ9   Sign up to Robert’s Substack: https://robertwest100.substack.com/   Subscribe to the UBC YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@unlockingbehaviourchange

    27 min
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About

Unlocking Behaviour Change is a podcast delving into psychology and motivation. Join Professor Robert West, a world-leading behavioural scientist, and Jamie West, a writer and musician, as they explore the human mind with practical insights and a touch of humour. Whether you’re into psychology, behaviour science, or just want to understand yourself (and others) a little better, this podcast is for you. Check out our latest books: Energise: The Secrets Of Motivation: https://shorturl.at/bbA7y React: Harness Your Animal Brain: https://shorturl.at/yiFQ9 Sign up to Robert’s Substack: https://robertwest100.substack.com/ Subscribe to the UBC YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@unlockingbehaviourchange

Information

  • Creator
    Robert West
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    36
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Unlocking Behaviour Change

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