The Psychology of Everyday Life: Simple Interventions to Build a Better Indonesia

Crossing Cultures, One Zebra Cross at a Time

Since 2019, I’ve split my life between Jakarta and Melbourne, a journey that has sharpened my perspective on business, culture, law, systems, policies, and—most intriguingly—human behaviours. Every time I experience something exceptional in one place, I can’t help but wonder, “Why don’t we do this back home?”

One habit I’ve developed in Melbourne is walking and cycling—a lifestyle encouraged by well-planned urban spaces and a deep-rooted culture of respect for pedestrians. Crossing the street is a non-event; cars slow down instinctively at zebra crossings, and drivers often wave me through with a smile. It’s not just a rule—it’s a norm, a shared understanding of respect and safety.

But two days ago, back in Jakarta for business and Chinese New Year, I found myself facing a stark contrast. Standing at a zebra crossing in front of Mall Kelapa Gading, I raised my hand, signaling for cars and motorcycles to slow down. I waited. And waited. Most vehicles zipped past, indifferent, as if the white stripes on the road were mere decoration. I had to inch forward, playing a hesitant game of trust and risk, before finally making it across. Many cars and motorcycles don’t even bother to slow down.

The moment left me wondering—not just about traffic rules, but about deeper behavioural patterns. What makes one society instinctively yield while another speeds ahead? Is it enforcement? Education? Culture?

Every crosswalk, every intersection, every simple act of giving way is a reflection of something much bigger: how we see one another in a shared space. And maybe, just maybe, small changes—like a driver choosing to stop—can be the start of something larger.

So I ask again: Why don’t we do this at home?

Especially for psychologists, what can we do? Social psychologists have the tools and understanding to design impactful programs and interventions aimed at modifying societal behaviours. Below are examples of how they can address behaviours like queueing, driving, littering, overconsumption for junk food, and gadget addiction in Indonesia:

1. Queueing Behaviour

Problem: Lack of discipline or respect for others in queues.

Interventions:

• Behavioural Nudges: Use signs or floor markings with engaging messages or footsteps to guide people into forming proper queues. Example: "Good things come to those who queue!"
• Social Norm Campaigns: Highlight videos or posters of people queuing with captions like, "Join the movement of courteous Indonesians!"
• Gamification: Implement reward systems at places like banks or supermarkets to incentivize disciplined queueing, e.g., "Receive points/voucher for following the queue system."

2. Driving Behaviour on Streets

Problem: Reckless driving, traffic violations, and lack of courtesy.

Interventions:

• Public Awareness Campaigns: Use social media, TV ads, and local influencers to promote safe driving habits with emotional appeals or testimonials from accident survivors.
• Real-Time Feedback: Collaborate with tech companies to send drivers feedback on their behaviours via apps, rewarding good driving practices (e.g., lower insurance premiums or vouchers).
• Community Engagement Programs: Create "Safe Driving Ambassadors" in neighborhoods, encouraging peer-led discussions about responsible driving.
• Improve the education and screening for driving license and its penalty

3. Preventing Littering

Problem: Persistent littering in public spaces.

Interventions:

• Visual Cues: Install colourful, creative trash bins with signs like "Feed me!" or bins that make funny sounds when used.
• Community Cleanup Movements: Organize neighborhood cleanup events with incentives like discounts at local shops for participants.
• Penalty Systems: Work with local governments to impose fines for littering combined with educational campaigns on the environmental impacts of waste.
• Social Proof Messaging: Post messages like, "80% of people here keep the park clean. Join them!"

4. Consumptive Behaviour

Problem: Over-consumption of unnecessary food, drink, and cigarettes fueled by social status or advertising.

Interventions:

• Education on Financial and health Literacy: Partner with companies, schools and community organizations.
• Public Campaigns Against Over-Consumption: Create movements like "Simplify Your Life" or "Proud to Save, Not Spend," emphasizing healthy and eco-friendly lifestyles.
• Role Models and Influencers: Use well-known figures to promote simple, mindful living.

5. Gadget Addiction

Problem: Excessive use of smartphones and devices, especially among youth and adults.

Interventions:

• Digital Detox Challenges: Launch community-wide "unplug days" where families or schools commit to spending 24 hours tech-free, with outdoor and indoor activities as substitutes.
• Parenting Workshops: Train parents to set healthy boundaries around screen time and promote alternative hobbies like sports or art.
• App Interventions: Collaborate with app developers to build tools that monitor and limit screen time, sending reminders to "take a break."
• Peer Support Groups: Set up support circles for gadget addicts, using the model of Alcoholics Anonymous to discuss and share progress.

General Principles for Psychologists in Behaviour Modification:

1. Community-Based Interventions: Work with local government and leaders, schools, and religious organizations to create cultural alignment and collective ownership of behaviours.
2. Use of Social Norms: Promote the idea that the desired behaviour is already common or desirable in society to encourage conformity.
3. Incentives and Rewards: Combine education with tangible benefits to motivate individuals to adopt positive behaviours.
4. Data-Driven Feedback: Use surveys and experiments to tailor interventions based on specific community needs or behavioural patterns.
5. Cultural Sensitivity: Leverage Indonesia's values of gotong royong (mutual cooperation) and communal harmony to design impactful programs.

Example Programs :

• "Sadar Antri Indonesia" (Queue Awareness): A national campaign partnering with malls, transportation hubs, and schools.
• "Bikers Santai, Aman Selamat" (Safe and Relaxed Riders): Focused on reducing aggressive motorcycle driving with rewards for responsible riders.
• "Pilah Sampah Hebat" (Great Waste Sorting): Partnering with local governments and startups to reduce littering and promote recycling.
• "Berhenti Sejenak" (Pause for a While): Addressing gadget addiction with mindfulness initiatives and tech-free zones in public spaces.

These interventions, grounded in psychology, not only modify behaviours but also foster a sense of pride and ownership among individuals, creating long-term societal change.