​​The Behavioral Science Episode with Erik Johnson

Last Updated on February 19, 2025

Listen to the Podcast

In this episode of The Long Game Podcast, Alex Birkett speaks with Erik Johnson, an applied behavioral scientist and founder of Behavioral Strategies. Erik shares insights on human decision-making, habit formation, and the psychological forces influencing our actions. The conversation covers the intention-action gap, AI’s impact on attention and productivity, and how behavioral science can optimize both personal and organizational performance. Erik explains why environmental design is crucial for habit formation, how variable rewards in social media and entertainment shape behavior, and why the modern world often works against our best intentions. They also explore practical strategies for overcoming distractions, making better decisions, and using behavioral science to drive business growth.

Key Takeaways

• The Intention-Action Gap: Many people struggle to act on what they say they want to do due to psychological and environmental factors.
• Behavioral Science in Decision-Making: Understanding why we make certain choices helps individuals and businesses design better systems for performance.
• AI and Habit Formation: AI-driven platforms use behavioral principles to shape user habits, often making focus and productivity more challenging.
• The Power of Environmental Design: Adjusting surroundings—like removing distractions or changing routines—can significantly improve behavior change success.
• Variable Rewards and Attention Hijacking: Social media, entertainment, and digital products are optimized to capture attention through gamification and unpredictable rewards.
• Regulation vs. Personal Responsibility: While individual strategies can help reduce distractions, broader system-level changes may be necessary for long-term solutions.
• Applying Behavioral Science to Business: Companies can leverage behavioral insights to improve marketing, customer engagement, and decision-making processes.

Show Links

• Visit Erik Johnson’s Website
• Connect with Erik Johnson on LinkedIn
• Connect with Alex Birkett on LinkedIn and Twitter
• Connect with Omniscient Digital on LinkedIn or Twitter

Time Stamps

• [00:00] Introduction to Erik Johnson and Behavioral Science
• [06:45] The Intention-Action Gap and Why We Struggle with Habits
• [14:10] AI’s Role in Attention and How Platforms Shape Our Behavior
• [21:35] How Behavioral Science Explains Modern Distractions
• [29:20] Designing Better Environments for Productivity and Focus
• [36:15] The Power of Gamification, Variable Rewards, and AI in Decision-Making
• [44:50] Practical Strategies for Overcoming Digital Distractions
• [52:40] How Companies Can Apply Behavioral Science for Growth
• [01:00:15] The Future of Behavioral Science and Its Impact on Business and Society