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In the social sciences, unintended consequences (sometimes unanticipated consequences or unforeseen consequences, more colloquially called knock-on effects) are outcomes of a purposeful action that are not intended or foreseen. The term was popularised in the twentieth century by American sociologist Robert K. Merton.
Basic Concepts. Unintended Consequences. By Rob Norton. T he law of unintended consequences, often cited but rarely defined, is that actions of people—and especially of government—always have effects that are unanticipated or unintended.
Jun 10, 2019 · Evaluating complex interventions and policies is challenging. This is particularly true for the identification of unintended consequences, whether negative or positive. This article uses data from a workshop with policymakers and evaluators to explore the evaluation of unintended consequences.
The law of unintended consequences is a frequently-observed phenomenon in which any action has results that are not part of the actor's purpose. The superfluous consequences may or may not be foreseeable or even immediately observable and they may be beneficial, harmful or neutral in their impact.
Apr 12, 2015 · “Unintended consequences” remain a preoccupation in the social sciences, with its annals containing an ever-expanding collection of examples on the unwelcome side-effects of policy. 1 This article does not add to this collection but seeks to narrow it by questioning the pervasive conflation of “unintended” and “unanticipated” consequences, a hab...
Unintended consequences can shift the cost-benefit analysis of a new technology, theory, or policy; distribute costs and benefits inequitably; or lead to other direct or indirect social problems.
Feb 11, 2020 · Unintended consequences. Social actions. Critical decisions. Inadequate knowledge. Bounded rationality. The impacts of the Law of Unintended Consequences (LUC) impacts are pervasive, cutting a wide swath across decisions in business, government, and our personal lives.
