PodcastsHealth & WellnessUnlocking Behaviour Change

Unlocking Behaviour Change

Robert West
Unlocking Behaviour Change
Latest episode

51 episodes

  • Justice is in the eye of the beholder

    12/05/2026 | 27 mins.
    Our sense of justice plays a huge role in our moral judgements and our behaviour. But there are many different versions of justice - what is justice for one person is gross unfairness for another.

    In their journey through things we like and dislike, Robert and Jamie delve into this thorny topic and what it means for behavioural scientists.

    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
  • Power struggles and group identity

    05/05/2026 | 27 mins.
    Robert and Jamie continue to explore sources of likes and dislikes (in the broadest sense) and in this episode move on to 'power' and how that relates to leadership. Robert reflects on the idea that often people don;t just want power for themselves, but for groups with whom they identify - and this is an extremely important source of conflict. 

    Here is a link to the Substack article containing the pretty comprehensive list of sources of likes and dislikes.

    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
  • The extraordinary motivating force of 'purpose' and 'transcendence'

    28/04/2026 | 28 mins.
    Humans appear to need some kind of purpose to our existence. It might be directed at spiritual enlightenment, furthering the well-being of the species, personal growth, getting good at something, or even just collecting stamps. Robert and Jamie discuss this as part of their examination of things that act as sources of wants and needs.

    They also delve briefly into the related topic of 'transcendence' - the sense of there being something beyond the physical world.

    Like other sources of wants and needs, these can be extremely pervasive and powerful influences on our behaviour and need to be considered when examining why people do things and how we can influence what they do.

    The full list of things we like and dislike can be found in this substack article.

    Before they get into the nitty-gritty of the topic, Robert raves about a new musical phenomenon, Angine do Poitrine. For anyone interested, here is a link to one of the very rapidly growing list of YouTube videos.

    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
  • The mysterious power of 'craving' and its role in addiction

    21/04/2026 | 28 mins.
    What are cravings and what causes them? Craving is weird. You'd think that the more we enjoy something the more we would crave it. Not so. We crave things we don’t even like! As part of the series on what people do and do not like, Robert is on to one of his favourite topics.  

    Here is a link to the Substack article setting out all the various things people tend to like and dislike.

    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
  • Never underestimate the importance of being 'amused' as a motivational force

    14/04/2026 | 29 mins.
    What would life be like without entertainment? Is beauty integral to a good life? Is all art subjective? As part of their wide-ranging look at what people do and do not like, Robert and Jamie explore the world of aesthetic pleasure and displeasure . . .  Here is a link to the Substack article that they are drawing on.

    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

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About Unlocking Behaviour Change

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
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