Through its research into behaviour and behavioural change, RIVM contributes to finding solutions to environmental and safety issues. After all, it is often not possible to solve these problems exclusively through technical innovations. Why do people act sustainably and why do they not? Which interventions are effective in creating behavioural change? That is what our studies into behaviour and behavioural change aim to find out.

More about perception and behaviour

Want to know more about our research possibilities?
Please send an email to onderzoekperceptieengedrag@rivm.nl

Who is it for?

We support society by providing advice on behaviour, based on scientific insights, to the government (central government, provinces and municipalities), professionals and citizens. To this end, we also share our knowledge. The reason behind behavioural research is often to resolve an unsafe or environmentally unfriendly situation. Examples include reducing the amount of litter on the streets or the number of falls from scaffolding. 

What can RIVM do?

Among other things, we can carry out behavioural analyses based on interviews, a questionnaire and/or observations. We can also investigate whether the intervention you intend to deploy will actually lead to safer or more sustainable behaviour, for example by carrying out an experiment in which we will first look into how often the unsafe or non-sustainable behaviour occurs without the intervention. After the intervention has been introduced, we will then check whether the behaviour has become safer or more sustainable.  

What are the possible benefits of behavioural research?

Policymakers, supervisors, sectors and safety professionals can use insights from our research in developing and implementing environmental and safety policy. For example, a behavioural analysis can provide insight into what is preventing people from acting safely or sustainably. On this basis, you can then develop or deploy an effective intervention. After all, an intervention that matches the perception and behaviour of people will have a larger chance of actually accomplishing the intended behavioural change. Especially if you first test the intervention on a small scale before making the necessary adjustments.

Highlighted: nudging experiment ‘Safe forklift operation’

A specific Albert Heijn warehouse saw frequent accidents at junctions. This was in part because forklift drivers did not look carefully before approaching a junction from an aisle. RIVM analysed the underlying reasons based on interviews with forklift drivers and observations at the warehouse. It found that the intervention to be developed should focus on making it a habit to first look left and right before exiting the aisle. While the drivers had already been taught this, they often forgot to put it into practice. 
Based on scientific literature, we designed a sign with LED lights shaped like eyes moving from side to side, to remind the drivers of the desired behaviour. To examine the effectiveness of this intervention, we carried out a field experiment. This consisted of a baseline and effect measurement as well as a control group and an intervention group. The LED signs were placed at the end of an aisle and switched on when a driver passed a sensor placed in the aisle. The goal was to ingrain a new habit into the drivers in order to prevent collisions on junctions. The LED signs with eyes proved to be effective reminders for learning new habits. 

For more information, go to Nudging experiment for safe forklift operation (2020).