Psychological research and the economy

• Psychological research has improved the economy in many ways that people may not realize
• Hospitals, schools, and businesses have been set up using psychological techniques to make people functioning, productive members of society
• Psychological techniques have also been used to manipulate people into being consumers of products
• Economy


  The production and consumption of goods and services
• To produce more goods and services


  It's good to have a population that is well educated and physically and mentally healthy so they can be efficient employees
• To consume more as a population


  You need to figure out how to make people want to buy those goods and services
• To get tax money to pay for public services


  It's a good idea to do both of these things as well as convince people to pay their taxes
• How psychological research has been used to improve the economy

  • Maternal deprivation research leading to better child rearing advice and practices
  • Social influence research used by governments to improve tax collection, recycling, and charitable giving
  • Conditioning research used by companies like Facebook to keep people engaged with their services
  • Research on neurotransmitters leading to effective drug treatments for mental health conditions
  • Research on eyewitness testimony leading to improved criminal justice system practices
• Almost any psychological finding can be applied in a way that improves the economy
• Considering the social benefits of psychological theories, beyond just economic impacts, may also be important