Testing effects of loss framing and checklists: evidence from a field experiment on wellness program participation in Philadelphia

Syon Bhanot, Christina A. Roberto, Anjali Chainani, Charles Williamson and Mehra den Braven
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Christina A. Roberto: University of Pennsylvania
Anjali Chainani: The City of Philadelphia
Charles Williamson: Swarthmore College
Mehra den Braven: Swarthmore College

Journal of the Economic Science Association, 2019, vol. 5, issue 2, No 6, 210-222

Abstract: Abstract Loss framing and checklist formatting are two oft-cited tools for encouraging behavior change, but there is little causal evidence on their impact in field settings. We partnered with the City of Philadelphia to test the effectiveness of these tools to increase completion of the City’s wellness program. In our experiment, 5235 City employees and retirees were randomly assigned to receive one of four postcard versions (using a 2 × 2 design), whereby we varied both framing (gain or loss) and how instructions were provided (information only or information in checklist format). Our results suggest that neither loss framing nor the checklist formatting significantly influenced the likelihood that individuals would complete the wellness tasks, or how quickly they completed the tasks. We conclude that this specific form of employee behavior may be difficult to influence through the “passive” behavioral interventions we tested, and suggest that a more “active” approach may be required in such instances.

Keywords: Behavioral economics; Checklists; Loss framing; Experiment; Randomized control trial; Evidence-based policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C93 D90 H75 I12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1007/s40881-019-00077-x

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