• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Safety Risk .net

Humanising Safety and Embracing Real Risk

Discover More on this Site

  • Home
    • About
      • Privacy Policy
      • Contact
  • FREE RESOURCES
    • FREE SAFETY eBOOKS
    • FREE DOWNLOADS
    • TOP 50
    • FREE RISK ASSESSMENT FORMS
    • Find a Safety Consultant
    • Free Safety Program Documents
    • Psychology Of Safety
    • Safety Ideas That Work
    • HEALTH and SAFETY MANUALS
    • FREE SAFE WORK METHOD STATEMENT RESOURCES
    • Whats New In Safety
    • FUN SAFETY STUFF
    • Health and Safety Training
    • SAFETY COURSES
    • Safety Training Needs Analysis and Matrix
    • Top 20 Safety Books
    • This Toaster Is Hot
    • Free Covid-19 Toolbox Talks
    • Download Page – Please Be Patient With Larger Files…….
    • SAFETY IMAGES, Photos, Unsafe Pictures and Funny Fails
    • How to Calculate TRIFR, LTIFR and Other Health and Safety Indicators
    • Download Safety Moments from Human Resources Secretariat
  • PSYCHOLOGY OF SAFETY & RISK
    • Safety Psychology Terminology
    • Some Basics on Social Psychology & Risk
    • Understanding The Social Psychology of Risk – Prof Karl E. Weick
    • The Psychology of Leadership in Risk
    • Conducting a Psychology and Culture Safety Walk
    • The Psychology of Conversion – 20 Tips to get Started
    • Understanding The Social Psychology of Risk And Safety
    • Psychology and safety
    • The Psychology of Safety
    • Hot Toaster
    • TALKING RISK VIDEOS
    • WHAT IS SAFETY
    • THE HOT TOASTER
    • THE ZERO HARM DEBATE
    • SEMIOTICS
    • LEADERSHIP
  • Covid-19
    • COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Health and Safety Slogans and Quotes for the Workplace
    • Covid-19 Returning to Work Inductions, Transitioning, Safety Start Up and Re Entry Plans
    • Covid-19 Work from Home Safety Checklists and Risk Assessments
    • The Hierarchy of Control and Covid-19
    • Why Safety Loves Covid-19
    • Covid-19, Cricket and Lessons in Safety
    • The Covid-19 Lesson
    • Safety has this Covid-19 thing sorted
    • The Heart of Wisdom at Covid Time
    • How’s the Hot Desking Going Covid?
    • The Semiotics of COVID-19 and the Social Amplification of Risk
    • Working From Home Health and Safety Tips – Covid-19
    • Covid-19 and the Hierarchy of Control
  • Dr Rob Long Posts
    • Learning Styles Matter
    • There is no HIERARCHY of Controls
    • Scaffolding, Readiness and ZPD in Learning
    • What Can Safety Learn From Playschool?
    • Presentation Tips for Safety People
    • Dialogue Do’s and Don’ts
    • It’s Only a Symbol
    • Ten Cautions About Safety Checklists
    • Zero is Unethical
    • First Report on Zero Survey
    • There is No Objectivity, Deal With it!
  • Quotes & Slogans
    • Researchers Reveal the Top 10 Most Effective Safety Slogans Of All Time
    • When Slogans Don’t Work
    • 77 OF THE MOST CLASSIC, FAMOUS and INFAMOUS SAFETY QUOTES
    • 500 BEST WORKPLACE HEALTH and SAFETY SLOGANS 2020
    • 167 CATCHY and FUNNY SAFETY SLOGANS FOR THE WORKPLACE
    • COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Health and Safety Slogans and Quotes for the Workplace
    • Safety Acronyms
    • You know Where You Can Stick Your Safety Slogans
    • Sayings, Slogans, Aphorisms and the Discourse of Simple
    • Spanish Safety Slogans – Consignas de seguridad
    • Safety Slogans List
    • Road Safety Slogans
    • How to write your own safety slogans
    • Why Are Safety Slogans Important
    • Safety Slogans Don’t Save Lives
    • 40 Free Safety Slogans For the Workplace
    • Safety Slogans for Work

Unthinkable

March 27, 2018 by Dr Rob Long Leave a Comment

Unthinkable

imageAs we listen to the responses to the Australian Cricket team ball tampering affair we hear that most people think that the team was thinking rationally about cheating. Many attribute the work of conspiracy to the issue as if the senior players ‘planned’ rationally to cheat. Only a few understand the powerful influence of social psychology in shaping decisions (https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/for-australian-cricket-arrogance-rewarded-just-led-to-more-arrogance-20180326-p4z6c5.html).

IMAGE SOURCE

Unfortunately in safety the paradigms of behaviourism, individualism and rationalism dominate the worldviews of many. We see this in the way safety people conduct incident investigations and in the curriculum of Work Health and Safety. The idea that humans are influenced by hundreds of social psychological factors that determine decisions based on context is simply foreign and not believed. The idea that people can behave under the influence of a collective unconscious is simply dismissed. Perhaps what is worse, using safety’s own paradigm, they don’t even want to know about it. Lets just keep to specialisations in objects, checklisting and regulation. Safety is simple: tell the rule, police the rule and punish non-compliance. How convenient and comfortable is the binary bubble of safety.

Of course in the real world of fallible humans safety simplicity doesn’t work, zero will never be achieved. Indeed, zero is part of the binary problem. The fact that the Global Congress on Safety endorses zero along with the SIA is testimony to the fact that Safety is trapped within its own small bubble and doesn’t know how to get out. Collective groupthink is cognitive dissonance on a grand scale (https://safetyrisk.net/how-groupthink-works/ ). Safety doesn’t want disruption, it just wants to talk about it. Safety doesn’t want anything differently, it just wants to talk about it. Safety doesn’t want safety 2, it just wants to talk about it. If there is to be any difference the behaviourist, individualist and rationalist ideologies that dominate safety would have to change. This is the vision for safety.

I’m sure when the Australian senior cricket players got together they weren’t ‘thinking’ of anything they were ‘unthinking’. (A read of Chris Paley ‘Unthink’ would be a good start). In a small group of people blinded by anger about sledging, victimization and nasty politics the reaction was about getting even, not rational thought. When someone gets caught in road rage they stop thinking, they get caught up in the social dynamics of the circumstance and do things they would not normally do (Read Caldini ‘Influence’ for a start).

Anger is a blinding influence that disposes of the need for rational thought. Anger is only one of hundreds of social influence dynamics that influence decision making. (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-24/south-africa-v-australia-david-warner-abused-by-spectator/9583014; http://www.news.com.au/sport/cricket/david-warner-responds-to-sledge-that-sparked-his-altercation-with-quinton-de-kock/news-story/214b3c22f02702723af1269d43c9db94; https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/david-warner-at-heart-of-ball-tampering-scandal-20180326-p4z6d3.html)

Here is a list of the social psychology basics one would need to understand in order to grasp how social influence changes decision making and behaviour:

  1. Pitch, Frame, Prime, Mirror, Anchor – Reframing
  2. Valence Framing
  3. Language Selection
  4. Social Association
  5. Focus on Artefacts
  6. Setting Expectations and Agenda

  7. Understand Choice, Option and Reaction Formation

  8. Understand Homeostasis, By-Products, Trade-Offs, Spin-Offs

  9. Constraining Response Options

  10. Diversity in Decision Criteria

  11. Misdirection

  12. Phantom Alternatives

  13. Comparison Sets

  14. Understanding Flow

  15. Metaphor and Semiotics

  16. Narratives (setting Meaning and Purpose)

  17. Envisioning Vision

  18. Questioning Skills

  19. Innuendo

  20. Understanding Psychology of Goals

  21. Understanding Trajectory and Projection

  22. Understanding Debias Techniques

  23. Committee Works, Lobbying, Coalitions

  24. Jig-sawing

  25. Social Dilemmas

  26. Understanding Altercasts

  27. Space and Place, Physical Context

In addition to understanding these dynamics one would also need to understand the dozens of resistance dynamics that influence non-compliance. A read of Dolinski ‘Techniques of Social Influence, The Psychology of Gaining Compliance’ would be a start. However, I am sure that none of these texts either by Paley, Caldini or Dolinski would make the reading list of any WHS curriculum. It’s just easy to keep to the binary worldview that the senior players decided rationally to cheat and were stupid. After all, ‘safety is a choice you make’.

IMAGE SOURCE

  • Bio
  • Latest Posts
  • More about Rob
Dr Rob Long

Dr Rob Long

Expert in Social Psychology, Principal & Trainer at Human Dymensions
Dr Rob Long

Latest posts by Dr Rob Long (see all)

  • Spin, Nonsense Language and Propaganda in Safety - February 24, 2021
  • The Visionary Imagination – Margaret Atwood - February 22, 2021
  • The Visionary Imagination and Marion Mahoney Griffin - February 21, 2021
  • The Visionary Imagination – Louisa Lawson - February 21, 2021
  • How Effective Are Your Conversations About Risk? - February 20, 2021
Dr Rob Long
PhD., MEd., MOH., BEd., BTh., Dip T., Dip Min., Cert IV TAA, MRMIA Rob is the founder of Human Dymensions and has extensive experience, qualifications and expertise across a range of sectors including government, education, corporate, industry and community sectors over 30 years. Rob has worked at all levels of the education and training sector including serving on various post graduate executive, post graduate supervision, post graduate course design and implementation programs.

Please share our posts

  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: Robert Long, Social Psychology of Risk Tagged With: cricket, thinking

Reader Interactions

Do you have any thoughts? Please share them below Cancel reply

Primary Sidebar

How we pay for the high cost of running of this site – try it for free on your site

Visit Count – Started Jan 2015

  • 21,585,396 Visitors

Never miss a post - Subscribe via Email

Enter your email address and join over 30,000 other discerning safety people who receive notifications of new posts by email

Please take our 2 minute zero survey

Recent Comments

  • Rob Long on Spin, Nonsense Language and Propaganda in Safety
  • amirhusenjihad on Spin, Nonsense Language and Propaganda in Safety
  • amirhusenjihad on 129 BRILLIANT IDEAS FOR SAFETY TOOL BOX TALKS, HARD HAT CHATS and SAFETY MOMENTS
  • amirhusenjihad on 500 BEST WORKPLACE HEALTH and SAFETY SLOGANS 2020
  • Site Safety NSW on Controlling crowds: It’s all in the planning
  • Rob Long on How Effective Are Your Conversations About Risk?
  • Rob Sams on How Effective Are Your Conversations About Risk?
  • Rob Long on Traditional Safety
  • Bernard Corden on Sexual Harassment and Safety Cosmetics
  • Bernard Corden on Traditional Safety

FREE eBOOK DOWNLOADS

Featured Downloads

  • Hazard-Reporting-sheet.xlsx (4837 downloads)
  • Blowin'-in-the-wind-03092019 (430 downloads)
  • Broader-Management-Skills.docx (3162 downloads)
  • Real-Risk-Free-Copy.pdf (5574 downloads)
  • Abdukadirov_UnintendedConsequences_v11.pdf (872 downloads)
  • 2016AmericasSafestCompanies.pdf (1313 downloads)
  • Hazardous Substances Risk Assessment Form (367 downloads)
  • How To Make Your Own Cloth Face Mask (187227 downloads)
  • Guidance-FOR-the-beginning-OHS-professiona1.docx (20970 downloads)
  • Covid-19 Construction Protocols (210 downloads)
  • Zero-to-HRO-15-March-2017 (1547 downloads)
  • WHO-recommended Handrub Formulations (1057 downloads)
  • Task Risk Assessment Template (424 downloads)
  • Supervisor-Induction-Checklist.docx (368 downloads)
  • Public-Event-Risk-Management-Checklist-HD.doc (974 downloads)

Recent Posts

  • Spin, Nonsense Language and Propaganda in Safety
  • The Visionary Imagination – Margaret Atwood
  • The Visionary Imagination and Marion Mahoney Griffin
  • The Visionary Imagination – Louisa Lawson
  • How Effective Are Your Conversations About Risk?
  • Traditional Safety
  • The Measurement Mindset in Safety???
  • Does Safety Have A Soul?
  • Making Sense of Safety Management Systems
  • Sexual Harassment and Safety Cosmetics

Footer

AUTHORS

  • Alan Quilley
    • Heinrich–Industrial Accident Prevention
    • The Problem With ZERO Goals and Results
  • Bernard Corden
    • AHH$ Covid$afe Chri$tma$ New$letter
    • Paradise by the dashboard light
  • Bill Sims
    • Employee Engagement: Chocolate, Vanilla, or Strawberry?
    • Injury Hiding-How do you stop it?
  • Craig Clancy
    • Task Based vs Activity Based Safe Work Method Statements
    • Safety And Tender Submissions
  • Daniel Kirk
    • It’s easy being wise after the event.
    • A Positive Safety Story
  • Dave Whitefield
    • Safety is about…
    • Safety and Compliance
  • Dennis Millard
    • Are You Risk Intelligent?
    • Honey they get me! They get me at work!
  • Drewie
    • Downturn Doin’ Your Head In? Let’s Chat….
    • How was your break?
  • Gabrielle Carlton
    • All Care and No Care!
    • You Are Not Alone!
  • George Robotham
    • How to Give an Unforgettable Safety Presentation
    • How To Write a Safety Report
  • Goran Prvulovic
    • Safety Manager – an Ultimate Scapegoat
    • HSE Performance – Back to Basics
  • James Ellis
    • In search of plan B in workers’ recovery
    • What and how should we measure to support recovery from injury?
  • James Parkinson
    • To laugh or not to laugh
    • People and Safety
  • John Toomey
    • Who is Responsible for This?
    • Who Are Your People?
  • Karl Cameron
    • Abby Normal Safety
    • The Right Thing
  • Ken Roberts
    • Safety Legislation Is Our Biggest Accident?
    • HSE Trip Down Memory Lane
  • Mark Perrett
    • Psychology of Persuasion: Top 5 influencing skills for getting what you want
  • Mark Taylor
    • Build a Psychologically Safe Workplace by Taking Risks and Analysing Failures
    • Enculturing Safety
  • Max Geyer
    • WHS Legislation is NOT about Safety it’s about Culture
    • Due Diligence Is Not Just Ticking Boxes!
  • Matt Thorne
    • It was the SIA until someone wanted to swing from the Chandelier
    • Common Sense is Remarkably Uncommon
  • Peter Ribbe
    • Is there “Common Sense” in safety?
    • Who wants to be a safety professional?
  • Phil LaDuke
    • Hey Idiots, You’re Worried About the Wrong Things
    • Misleading Indicators
  • Admin
    • Making Sense of Safety Management Systems
    • Happy New Year for 2021 and Theme
  • Dr Rob Long
    • Spin, Nonsense Language and Propaganda in Safety
    • The Visionary Imagination – Margaret Atwood
  • Rob Sams
    • I’m just not that into safety anymore
    • Social ‘Resiliencing’
  • Barry Spud
    • Barry Spud’s Hazard Control Tips
    • Researchers Reveal the Top 10 Most Effective Safety Slogans Of All Time
  • Sheri Suckling
    • How Can I Get the Boss to Listen?
  • Safety Nerd
    • The Block isn’t portraying safety as it should be
    • Toolbox Talk Show–PPE
  • Wynand Serfontein
    • Why The Problem With Learning Is Unlearning
    • I DON’T KNOW
  • Zoe Koskinas
    • Why is fallibility so challenging in the workplace?

FEATURED POSTS

Psycho-social workplace issues

Zero Vision but Purchase Insurance

Rhetoric and Reality in Safety

The Worm at the Core

A Great Comparison of Risk and Safety Schools of Thought

Selective and Slow Harm is not Zero Harm

Y is Being and Doing

Tackling the Reality of Harm

Social Psychology of Risk in Canada

The Risk Aversion Delusion

Accidents Happen Because You Don’t Put Safety First

Evidence, Proof and Paperwork in Safety

Living In Glass Houses

The Social Psychology of Risk Handbook, i-thou

Coping With Paradox and Ambiguity in Safety

Off to a Flying Start in Learning with CLLR

Overcoming Safety Indoctrination

The Certainty of Uncertainty

WHS Research Symposium 2019

Humanising Workplace Health and Safety Management

More Posts from this Category

Paperwork

https://vimeo.com/162034157?loop=0

Due Diligence

https://vimeo.com/162493843?loop=0

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.