Crowd Control
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Crowd Control features experiments designed to change people's negative behaviors by using psychology. There's some discussion of car accidents and potential deaths, but the overall series is mild enough for older tweens -- especially those with an interest in science and how the mind works.
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What's the story?
CROWD CONTROL is an educational reality show that demonstrates how incentives can be used to get crowds of people to behave a certain way. Author and human behavior expert Daniel Pink conducts various experiments designed to get people to think more about following the rules and behaving in ways that are both legal and safe. From offering rewards for people who follow speed limits to finding fun ways of occupying impatient people's time when they're waiting for something, the show highlights various ways that people's behaviors can be changed for the better when employing devices such as humor, shock, and empathy.
Is it any good?
Crowd Control shows the various things that can be done to change people's behavior, much of which is a result of not thinking about the potential consequences of their actions. It also looks at what other countries do to stop specific activities, such as bike thefts, and explores how these tactics can be adapted to serve the needs of people in the U.S. at minimal cost.
Not all experiments are successful, but the efforts made here will certainly get people thinking about the different ways crowd behavior can be changed for the better with a little bit of thought and creativity. More importantly, it's a show that may get its viewers to think a bit more about their own actions and the real consequences they may have on others.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about some of the behaviors discussed here. Why do people continue to do things such as speed, jay walk, or park in wheelchair designated spaces, even when it's illegal?
Do people behave better if they're made aware of the human beings they're affecting? Do you think TV shows such as this one can result in people changing their ways for the better?
Did you learn anything from watching this show? What makes a good educational TV show?
TV details
- Premiere date: November 24, 2014
- Cast: Daniel Pink
- Network: National Geographic Channel
- Genre: Educational
- Topics: Science and Nature
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Last updated: September 20, 2019
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