Nick Bardsley (University of Reading), 19 June 2017, 4:30pm, NUBS 1.13

Speaker: Nick Bardsley, University of Reading

Title: Food norms in schools: Probing pluralistic ignorance using behavioural games

Date & Time: 19 June 2017 (Monday), 4:30-5:45 pm

Venue:  Newcastle University Business School, 1.13

              5 Barrack Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4SE

Abstract:

We use behavioural games to identify peer-group norms, preferences, and beliefs about others’ preferences, for food items, amongst adolescents in a North of England comprehensive school. The method developed allows us to test for ‘pluralistic ignorance’, whereby individuals privately reject a norm but believe that others mostly accept it. Pupils systematically under-rate the attractiveness of ‘healthy’, and over-rate that of ‘unhealthy’, foods. The bias is directionally consistent with pupils’ norms. Pluralistic ignorance would explain these results. The findings suggest potential for changing behaviour by publicising the distribution of preferences.

Last modified: Tue, 06 Jun 2017 14:49:43 BST