| Abstract: |
Is being informed about nudging detrimental to the effect of the nudge? This
paper reports results from an experimental study (n = 623) testing the effects
of transparency on the effectiveness of a default nudge while controlling for
reactance and decision time. Overall, the data show that more people follow
the default if the nudge is made transparent. More importantly, though,
effects of transparency differ depending on whether people are fast or slow in
their decision making. In particular, (only) slow decision makers react more
positively (keeping the default) if nudging is made transparent. Moreover, the
data also show an interaction of reactance and decision time in that more
reactant subjects making slower decisions respond more negatively (i.e. leave
the default more often). Thus, a positive effect of transparency as well as a
negative impact of reactance can be established in the data if decision time
is accounted for. |