By Invitation

Drill into what makes people socially responsible

Good social behaviour, like maintaining public hygiene or self-quarantining when sick, can be cultivated. Appeal to people's sense of values and their image; use norms and enforcement to encourage them; and make it convenient to adopt such practices.

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Singapore recently announced the setting up of an SG Clean Taskforce in its fight against the coronavirus, to get individuals and businesses to adopt good hygiene habits, keep public spaces clean, adjust social norms and behave in socially responsible ways.

The task force has a dual challenge. It needs to effect changes quickly so that they become the first line of defence in the ongoing battle against Covid-19. It also needs to do it in ways that will develop permanent good habits and norms beyond the current outbreak.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on March 14, 2020, with the headline Drill into what makes people socially responsible. Subscribe