Open AccessThe effectiveness of nudging: A meta-analysis of choice architecture interventions across behavioral domains
Author(s) -
Stéphanie Mertens,
Mario Herberz,
Ulf J.J. Hahnel,
Tobias Brosch
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.2107346118
Subject(s) - choice architecture , psychological intervention , nudge theory , behavioral economics , psychology , architecture , meta analysis , behavior change methods , intervention (counseling) , cognitive psychology , population , applied psychology , social psychology , medicine , economics , environmental health , microeconomics , art , psychiatry , visual arts
Significance Changing individuals’ behavior is key to tackling some of today’s most pressing societal challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic or climate change. Choice architecture interventions aim to nudge people toward personally and socially desirable behavior through the design of choice environments. Although increasingly popular, little is known about the overall effectiveness of choice architecture interventions and the conditions under which they facilitate behavior change. Here we quantitatively review over a decade of research, showing that choice architecture interventions successfully promote behavior change across key behavioral domains, populations, and locations. Our findings offer insights into the effects of choice architecture and provide guidelines for behaviorally informed policy making.