The science of short term thinking

In this podcast we look at how 'short term thinking' affects all aspects of our lives, from our own health right through to global issues like climate change. We explore why people like 'quick wins' and are biased in favour of short term, rather than long term, gains. Chandy Nath from the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) and psychology PhD student Laura Haynes talk to behavioural economist Daniel Read, health psychologist Theresa Marteau, neuroscientist Trevor Robbins and Shadow Chancellor for the Liberal Democrats Vince Cable MP, to find out why we behave like this, why we succumb to temptation and what might be the consequences for us and for society.