Meta-Nudging Honesty: Past, Present, and Future of the Research Frontier

Eugen Dimant and Shaul Shalvi ()
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Shaul Shalvi: University of Amsterdam

No 163, ECONtribute Discussion Papers Series from University of Bonn and University of Cologne, Germany

Abstract: Achieving successful behavior change via nudging is hard. This is particularly true when choice architects attempt to change behavior that is collectively harmful but individually beneficial. In this paper, we review the state-of-the-art of the behavior change literature to assess both robust evidence on the motives for lying and promising interventions to curb lying. Existing literature points to combining simple behavioral interventions (e.g., norm-nudging) with interventions that contain pecuniary consequences (e.g., norm enforcement via punishment). In this context, we also discuss the idea of `meta-nudging': rather than pursuing the classical approach to nudge targeted behavior directly, one may instead want to nudge behavior indirectly by targeting those who are in positions of power and have the ability to enforce norm adherence of others. Research suggests that delegating the enforcement of norm prescriptions can be a promising approach to nudge honesty.

Keywords: Behavior Change; Honesty; Lying; Nudging (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C9 D01 D9 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 10 pages
Date: 2022-05
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cbe and nep-exp
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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https://www.econtribute.de/RePEc/ajk/ajkdps/ECONtribute_163_2022.pdf First version, 2022 (application/pdf)

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Working Paper: Meta-Nudging Honesty: Past, Present, and Future of the Research Frontier (2022)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ajk:ajkdps:163

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