Toward a Contemporary Behavioural Science Basis for Effective Regulation - Regulatory Reform: Incorporating Social and Behavioral Science Principles into Law and Regulation

Abstract

Purpose: to introduce our research towards a scientific behavioural theory of law. • Regulation is one instrument which may help to achieve behavioural shifts towards sustainability. • Regulation is subject to criticism for insufficient behavioural effectiveness and excessive economic cost. • A scientific 'continuous improvement' of regulation is not possible without a clear theory on which to base empirical learning. • Aspects of compliance are studied by behavioral economists, sociologists, psychologists, educators, political scientists, and lawyers... • but there is no specific behavioural theory of environmental law upon which to base behavioural science investigation to improve regulation.