Which Europeans Like Nudges? Approval and Controversy in Four European Countries

Forthcoming in Journal of Consumer Affairs

46 Pages Posted: 7 Feb 2018

See all articles by Cäzilia Loibl

Cäzilia Loibl

The Ohio State University - Department of Human Sciences

Cass R. Sunstein

Harvard Law School; Harvard University - Harvard Kennedy School (HKS)

Julius Rauber

Zeppelin University

Lucia A. Reisch

El-Erian Institute for Behavioural Economics and Policy; Copenhagen Business School - Department of Management, Society and Communication

Date Written: January 15, 2018

Abstract

Policy-makers show an increasing interest in “nudges” – behaviorally motivated interventions that steer people in certain directions but maintain freedom of consumer choice. Despite this interest, little evidence has surfaced about which population groups support nudges and nudging. We report the results of nationally representative surveys in Denmark, Hungary, Italy, and the United Kingdom. Individual, household and geographic characteristics served as predictors of nudge approval, and the count of significant predictors as measures of controversy. Less high approval rates of nudges in Denmark and Hungary were reflected in higher controversy about “System 1” nudges, whereas the United Kingdom and Italy were marked by higher controversy about “System 2” nudges, despite high approval rates. High-controversy nudges tended to be associated with current public policy concerns, for example, meat consumption. The results point to means for effective targeting, and increase knowledge about the types of nudges likely to obtain public support.

Suggested Citation

Loibl, Cäzilia and Sunstein, Cass R. and Rauber, Julius and Reisch, Lucia A., Which Europeans Like Nudges? Approval and Controversy in Four European Countries (January 15, 2018). Forthcoming in Journal of Consumer Affairs, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3102699

Cäzilia Loibl (Contact Author)

The Ohio State University - Department of Human Sciences ( email )

1787 Neil Avenue
265K Campbell Hall
Columbus, OH 43210
United States
614-292-4226 (Phone)

Cass R. Sunstein

Harvard Law School ( email )

1575 Massachusetts Ave
Areeda Hall 225
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States
617-496-2291 (Phone)

Harvard University - Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) ( email )

79 John F. Kennedy Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

Julius Rauber

Zeppelin University ( email )

Am Seemooser Horn 20
Friedrichshafen, Lake Constance 88045
Germany

Lucia A. Reisch

El-Erian Institute for Behavioural Economics and Policy ( email )

Trumpington Rd 25
Cambridge
Great Britain

Copenhagen Business School - Department of Management, Society and Communication ( email )

Solbjerg Plads 3
Frederiksberg C, DK - 2000
Denmark

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
191
Abstract Views
1,180
Rank
286,427
PlumX Metrics