{"id":15615,"date":"2020-10-07T23:59:00","date_gmt":"2020-10-08T03:59:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=15615"},"modified":"2020-10-12T17:38:04","modified_gmt":"2020-10-12T21:38:04","slug":"nudge-principles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/nudge-principles\/","title":{"rendered":"Nudge Principles: Knowing When to Push People"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When should you nudge people<\/a>? What are the Nudge<\/em> principles and best practices?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nudge<\/em> principles are the values of libertarian paternalism<\/a>. They also identify the best practices for how to nudge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read on to learn the Nudge<\/em> principles that can guide your choice architecture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Nudge<\/em> Principles: When to Nudge<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To align with the values of Libertarian Paternalism, choice architects must design their nudges to help as much as possible and harm as little as possible<\/strong>. Nudge<\/em> principles also identify the particular kinds of decisions<\/a> that warrant nudges more than others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rare and Difficult Decisions<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The first situation wherein a nudge may be vital is when we\u2019re faced with an abnormal or abnormally difficult decision. Saving for retirement<\/a>, buying a house, or choosing a college<\/a> are each monumental decisions that come around once or rarely in a lifetime. Thus, they\u2019re prime candidates for nudges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Decisions with Delayed Feedback<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

For many decisions, we get immediate feedback on our choices. When we use our debit card to buy a gift for a loved one, we see the consequences of that choice reflected almost instantaneously on our account statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For other decisions, however, the feedback on our choices is delayed or obscure<\/strong>. Nudge <\/em>principles identify this as an opportunity. For example, someone can eat poorly and\/or smoke for years and experience no negative effects\u2014until the day he or she suffers a stroke. Nudges can help us make better decisions<\/a> in situations like these, when the consequences of our actions aren\u2019t immediately apparent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Decisions Requiring Specialized Knowledge<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Many of the most important decisions<\/a> we\u2019re faced with\u2014choosing a retirement or health care plan, for example\u2014are presented to us using specialized terms that can confuse more than inform. Most of us\u2014unless we work in finance\u2014would be at a loss when faced with options like \u201ccapital appreciation\u201d or \u201cdynamic dividend\u201d funds. Given especially complex and unpredictable options, Nudge <\/em>principles acknowledge that nudges here can be vital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Priming and Channel Factors<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Nudge <\/em>principles cover social influence nudges. A social-influence nudge need not take the form of a comparison to one\u2019s peers\u2014it can be as simple and inconspicuous as just asking a question! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choice architects have discovered that humans can be \u201cprimed\u201d to make certain choices. Simply by mentioning a particular choice, or asking people if they intend to perform a certain action, choice architects can nudge people to make that choice or perform that action<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In one study, a nationally representative sample of Americans was asked, \u201cDo you plan on buying a car in the next six months?\u201d The question itself raised purchase rates by 35%! Because the subjects were \u201cprimed\u201d to think about buying a car, they ended up actually going out and doing it<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Priming<\/a> can be even subtler. Studies have shown that when people see objects that symbolize a business environment\u2014briefcases or boardroom tables, for example\u2014they become more competitive and less collaborative; and when they smell cleaning chemicals at their eating space, they tend to keep that space neater as they eat<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Priming is a type of \u201cchannel factor.\u201d Channel factors are seemingly minor or inconsequential influences that have an outsize impact on individuals\u2019 decision making<\/a><\/strong>. When one of these influences is removed or altered, the \u201cchannel\u201d toward a particular decision can become more direct.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When should you nudge people? What are the Nudge principles and best practices? Nudge principles are the values of libertarian paternalism. They also identify the best practices for how to nudge. Read on to learn the Nudge principles that can guide your choice architecture.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":15962,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,24],"tags":[132],"class_list":["post-15615","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-psychology","category-society","tag-nudge","","tg-column-two"],"yoast_head":"\nNudge Principles: Knowing When to Push People - Shortform Books<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"How and when should you nudge people? There are certain values of libertarian paternalism that can guide you. 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