nep-nud New Economics Papers
on Nudge and Boosting
Issue of 2025–04–28
four papers chosen by
Marco Novarese, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale


  1. Improving Behavioral Change Interventions By Ruth Rodriguez; MA. LAARNI Revilla
  2. Virtual reality is only mildly effective in improving forest conservation behaviors By Banerjee, Sanchayan; Ferreira, Alipio
  3. Meta-analysis on the efficacy of behavioral, information and economic interventions in increasing energy-efficiency adoption among households By Khanna, Tarun M.; Danilenko, Diana; Tomberg, Lukas; Hansteen, Sven; Andor, Mark Andreas; Lohmann, Paul; Minx, Jan C.
  4. The Giving Advice Effect: Reducing Teacher Sorting Through Self-Persuasion By Ajzenman, Nicolás; Elacqua, Gregory; Kutscher, Macarena; Méndez, Carolina; Suarez Enciso, Sonia

  1. By: Ruth Rodriguez; MA. LAARNI Revilla
    Keywords: Health, Nutrition and Population-Public Health Promotion Social Development-Psychology Governance-Youth and Governance Social Development-Children and Youth
    Date: 2023–04
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:39650
  2. By: Banerjee, Sanchayan; Ferreira, Alipio
    Abstract: Virtual Reality (VR) enables immersive experiences that can enhance awareness about environmental problems. We measure the effectiveness of VR versus 2D in an environmental campaign using a field experiment in Brazil. 617 passers-by at a mall were randomly assigned to watch a video clip about the Amazon Forest through VR or a traditional 2D device, with some being randomly interviewed before watching the movie (control group). We find that both the 2D and VR interventions increase individuals’ propensity to (i) contribute to an Amazonian humanitarian campaign, (ii) share contact information, (iii) interact with a conservation campaign, and (iv) state pro-conservation opinions. We find no additional impact of VR compared to 2D, but VR participants were more likely to engage with pro-conservation content online 3 months later. Our findings provide cautionary evidence about the additional potential of using immersive technologies, like VR, to improve conservation behaviors compared to 2D methods.
    Keywords: Virtual Reality, Behavior, Environment
    JEL: Q01 Q5
    Date: 2024–06–28
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:124149
  3. By: Khanna, Tarun M.; Danilenko, Diana; Tomberg, Lukas; Hansteen, Sven; Andor, Mark Andreas; Lohmann, Paul; Minx, Jan C.
    Abstract: Energy efficiency is often cited as a critical component of mitigation pathways that avoid the worst effects of climate change but suffers from chronic underinvestment. This paper evaluates the efficacy of a range of voluntary approaches-monetary incentives, information and behavioral interventions-on the willingness of households to pay for energy efficient appliances, the market share of efficient appliances, and the subsequent savings in energy consumption to understand which interventions work, under what conditions, and why. We find that information provision, labeling, rebates and subsidies increase willingness to pay for efficient appliances moderately, while loans are ineffective. The effects of such interventions on market shares and associated rebound effects on energy consumption of purchase of energy-efficient appliances remain unclear given the limited evidence. Closing this should be a priority to facilitate better understanding of the role of such interventions in climate and energy policy. Real-world effects are also likely to be smaller than those reported due to study design limitations and potential reporting biases. Overall, the existing evidence does not strongly support the effectiveness of these interventions in achieving large-scale energy efficiency improvements required for decarbonization.
    Abstract: Energieeffizienz wird oft als kritische Komponente von Klimaschutzmaßnahmen genannt, die die schlimmsten Auswirkungen des Klimawandels vermeiden sollen, leidet aber unter chronischer Unterinvestition. In diesem Papier wird die Wirksamkeit einer Reihe freiwilliger Ansätze - monetäre Anreize, Informationen und Verhaltensmaßnahmen - auf die Bereitschaft der Haushalte, für energieeffiziente Geräte zu zahlen, den Marktanteil effizienter Geräte und die daraus resultierenden Einsparungen beim Energieverbrauch untersucht, um zu verstehen, welche Maßnahmen unter welchen Bedingungen und warum funktionieren. Wir stellen fest, dass die Bereitstellung von Informationen, die Kennzeichnung, Rabatte und Subventionen die Bereitschaft, für effiziente Geräte zu zahlen, mäßig erhöhen, während Kredite unwirksam sind. Die Auswirkungen solcher Maßnahmen auf die Marktanteile und die damit verbundenen Rebound-Effekte auf den Energieverbrauch beim Kauf energieeffizienter Geräte bleiben angesichts der begrenzten Evidenz unklar. Die Schließung dieser Lücke sollte eine Priorität sein, um ein besseres Verständnis der Rolle solcher Interventionen in der Klima- und Energiepolitik zu ermöglichen. Aufgrund von Einschränkungen beim Studiendesign und möglichen Verzerrungen bei der Berichterstattung sind die Auswirkungen in der Realität wahrscheinlich geringer als berichtet. Insgesamt sprechen die vorliegenden Erkenntnisse nicht eindeutig für die Wirksamkeit dieser Maßnahmen, wenn es darum geht, die für die Dekarbonisierung erforderlichen groß angelegten Energieeffizienzsteigerungen zu erreichen.
    Keywords: Energy efficiency, meta-analysis, energy conservation, behavioral interventions, economic incentives, policy instruments
    JEL: Q58 Q48 D11 D83
    Date: 2024
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:rwirep:315481
  4. By: Ajzenman, Nicolás; Elacqua, Gregory; Kutscher, Macarena; Méndez, Carolina; Suarez Enciso, Sonia
    Abstract: This paper examines how the act of giving advice to others can serve as a tool for self-persuasion in high-stakes decisions. We tested this hypothesis in Perus nationwide teacher selection process, involving over 74, 000 candidates. By prompting teachers to advise peers on selecting schools for maximum educational impact, we observe a significant shift in their own choices: an increased probability of choosing and being assigned to hard-to-staff schools, institutions serving disadvantaged areas that are typically understaffed. In line with recent literature on behavioral sciences, our findings demonstrate that advising others can influence ones own consequential decisions. This insight offers a cost-effective approach to mitigating teacher sorting and reducing educational inequality. It also corroborates the validity of the giving advice effect in a high-stakes, real-world context using a large sample.
    JEL: D91 I23 I25
    Date: 2025–02
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:idb:brikps:14017

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