What is Different in this Situation?

by Dwayne Phillips

This is a variation on the question, “What is the difference that makes a difference?” When trying to modify behavior, we must be able to answer the title’s question.

The title of this post is a fundamental science question. You are telling me that factor A is important here. Okay, it seems that factor A is important in many things, so saying it is important here is saying nothing.

When are you going to say something?

This is a variation of “find the difference that makes a difference.”

Our current pandemic is an excellent example of the question. We have been told, “The medically frail should avoid COVID.”

Well, the medically frail should avoid the flu, climbing tall ladders, skateboarding, skydiving, scuba diving, etc. So what is different about COVID? When are you going to tell me something? It is unfortunate, but those advocating the response to COVID that we chose failed to provide that difference in a convincing manner. They expected people to change their behavior “just because I said so.”

So much for the pandemic example. Recall cigarette smoking. Doctors were able to show how cigarette smoking was different from skydiving and other “risky” behaviors. Behavior changed across society. Also consider the example of seat belts in cars. Safety advocates where able to show how outcomes were different when wearing seat belts to when not wearing seat belts. Behavior changed across society.

This is different in this situation.

That is a short statement. That, however, is what changes behavior. Find that differences and state it clearly and briefly (and repeatedly).