The polity that is Singapore
…this month, Singapore launched a scheme promising actual cash to citizens as a reward for logging reading time on a government website. It’s unlikely to make you megabucks – you have to rack up 50 reading sessions of at least 15 minutes to earn one Singapore dollar (£0.59), with only one logged session allowed per day. But behavioural […] The post The polity that is Singapore appeared first on…
Singapore has introduced a novel initiative that offers citizens cash rewards for dedicating time to reading on a government website. To earn one Singapore dollar (£0.59), individuals must complete 50 reading sessions, each lasting a minimum of 15 minutes, with a limit of one logged session per day. While the monetary reward may not be substantial, behavioral scientists and psychologists believe that this scheme could still prove beneficial in encouraging a reading habit that has been experiencing a decline.
The core concept behind this scheme is the introduction of a short-term reward for the activity, similar to the immediate dopamine associated with scrolling through social media. By incorporating a "gamified" element, the initiative may prove to be "smarter" than the financial reward alone, according to Patrick Taylor, director of education at the Behavioural Insights Team.
Taylor suggests that the key to the scheme's success lies in setting achievable 15-minute daily goals that align with existing routines like commuting or bedtime. He also emphasizes the importance of streaks and tracking progress to maintain visibility and motivation.
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