Nudging into subjectification: Governmentality and psychometrics
In: Critical social policy: a journal of theory and practice in social welfare, Band 34, Heft 2, S. 241-259
ISSN: 1461-703X
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In: Critical social policy: a journal of theory and practice in social welfare, Band 34, Heft 2, S. 241-259
ISSN: 1461-703X
In: Critical social policy: a journal of theory and practice in social welfare, Band 34, Heft 2, S. 241-259
ISSN: 0261-0183
In: Critical social policy: a journal of theory and practice in social welfare, Band 34, Heft 2, S. 241-259
ISSN: 1461-703X
The current age of 'austerity' is associated with neoliberal ideology. Neoliberalism can be understood as a form of governmentality – a way of reconfiguring selves and the social order in accord with the demands of market economies. A recent UK policy initiative by the Coalition government's Behavioural Insights Team required benefit claimants to submit to online psychometric testing. We examine this policy in some detail, arguing that this use of psychometric testing is flawed, unethical, and unlikely to help claimants to find work. Our analysis of the test procedure and its results suggests that the policy functions primarily as a means whereby benefit claimants can be 'nudged' towards acceptance of the precepts of neoliberal subjectivities.