Gina Merchant, PhD is a behavioral scientist who wound her way through academia and into the corporate world for the purpose of improving the health of communities, not just individuals. Her work examines how online and offline social networks influence our health behaviors and healthcare decision-making.

Gina shared her insights through research she’s been conducting with promotores, the women who govern how information flows through Hispanic communities in Southern California. The research explores how the work these women do impacts the health and wellbeing of their communities.

Our discussion also included Gina’s thoughts on misinformation, especially with respect to the myths that people have come to believe about vaccinations. This topic came to light as a source of passion in her work. We also talked about the role that a behavioral scientist can play in a corporate setting. She shared how business leaders can experience positive results by including a behavioral scientist in communication and design discussions.  

We also want to remind everyone that we’re celebrating our 100th episode in Philadelphia. It’s an evening event and it will be live streamed. If you’re interested in attending or listening live, check out the Behavioral Grooves website at www.behavioralgrooves.com.

Gina Merchant: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gina-merchant-phd-2279b6140/

Truthful Illusion Effect: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illusory_truth_effect

ANOVA Framework: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analysis_of_variance

“Willful Blindness,” by Margaret Heffernan: http://www.mheffernan.com/book-wb-summary.php?location=US

Inoculation Theory: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inoculation_theory

Confidence Project, by Heidi Larson: https://www.vaccineconfidence.org/

The Filter Bubble: http://www.lse.ac.uk/assets/richmedia/channels/publicLecturesAndEvents/slides/20110620_1830_theFilterBubble_sl.pdf

The Looking Glass Self: https://lesley.edu/article/perception-is-reality-the-looking-glass-self

Kate Starbird: https://www.hcde.washington.edu/starbird

Promotores: http://www.visionycompromiso.org/wordpress/about-us/the-promotor-model/

Topanga Canyon: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topanga,_California

Kurt Nelson: @motivationguru 

Tim Houlihan: @THoulihan

Check out the Behavioral Grooves website: https://behavioralgrooves.com/

DMX: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DMX_(rapper)

Tupac: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tupac_Shakur

Lil’ Kim: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lil%27_Kim

Biggie Smalls: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Notorious_B.I.G.

Jack Johnson: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Johnson_(musician)

Tribe Called Quest: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Tribe_Called_Quest

Ben Harper: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Harper

Ivan Schultz, “Firetruck,”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spk7gOIExjI&hl=fr&gl=SN

Swan Lake, by Pytor Illyich Tchaikovsky: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swan_Lake

Nova Mob: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nova_Mob_(album)