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on Nudge and Boosting |
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Issue of 2025–05–19
two papers chosen by Marco Novarese, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale |
| By: | Björn Bartling; Krishna Srinivasan |
| Abstract: | This study investigates the determinants of individuals’ demand for and supply of paternalistic interventions—measures intended to help others avoid mistakes. Based on data from an incentivized experiment conducted with a large U.S. sample, we find that both demand and supply are higher for informational interventions than for those that restrict choice, and when targeted individuals perceive themselves or are per- ceived as more error-prone. Moreover, granting targets the right to withhold consent increases demand. These behavioral patterns, supported by participants’ free-text re- sponses, suggest that both receiving and supplying interventions entail utility costs, particularly when interventions infringe upon personal autonomy. Our findings in- form policy design by highlighting the importance of autonomy-preserving features such as choice options and consent rights in securing public support for paternalistic interventions. |
| Keywords: | Paternalism, interventions, consent rights, policy design |
| JEL: | C91 D60 D91 |
| Date: | 2025–05 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zur:econwp:469 |
| By: | Adeline L. Delavande; Areeba Shahab; Javed Younas; Basit Zafar |
| Abstract: | We evaluate the effectiveness of randomized interventions aimed at alleviating psychological barriers (maternal stress and difficulty visualizing the future) and addressing information frictions on early childhood immunization uptake in a sample of 2, 145 mothers of infants in Pakistan. A phone-delivered intervention providing psychological support and visualization techniques to mothers increases the total number of vaccines received by young children by 0.3, or 7% of the control mean, one year after baseline. The impacts are larger for lower-income households. We also find that the intervention improves maternal knowledge, attitudes, and perceived returns to vaccination, highlighting the role of psychological support in shaping health behaviors. However, supplementing this intervention with vaccination-related information from influencers does not yield additional benefits. |
| JEL: | I1 J10 |
| Date: | 2025–03 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:33559 |