How can we get people to do more good: to go to the polls, give to charity, conserve resources or just generally act better towards others? MIT research scientist Erez Yoeli shares a simple checklist for harnessing the power of reputations -- or our collective desire to be seen as generous and kind instead of selfish -- to motivate people to act in the interest of others. Learn more about how small changes to your approach to getting people to do good could yield surprising results.

How to motivate people to do good for others

People are far more likely to do good when their actions are visible and socially acknowledged. For example, simply posting a sign-up sheet near mailboxes, instead of using a private hotline, tripled participation in an energy-saving program. Harnessing our desire to be seen as generous can spark more voting, charity, and even public health breakthroughs. A simple checklist—making good deeds observable, removing excuses, and clearly communicating expectations—can lead to big improvements in social behavior.