A Triple Test for Behavioral Economics Models and Public Health Policy

Ryota Nakamura, Marc Suhrcke and Daniel Zizzo
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Ryota Nakamura: University of East Anglia

No 14-01, Working Paper series, University of East Anglia, Centre for Behavioural and Experimental Social Science (CBESS) from School of Economics, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.

Abstract: We propose a triple test to evaluate the usefulness of behavioral economics models for public health policy. Test 1 is whether the model provides reasonably new insights. Test 2 is on whether these have been properly applied to policy settings. Test 3 is whether they are corroborated by evidence. Where a test is not passed, this may point to directions for needed further research. We exemplify by considering the cases of social interactions models, self-control models and, in relation to health message framing, prospect theory; out of these, only a correctly applied prospect theory fully passes the tests at present.

Keywords: behavioral economics; nudges; peer effects; self-control; prospect theory; framing effects (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: B41 D04 I18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cbe and nep-hea
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Journal Article: A triple test for behavioral economics models and public health policy (2017)
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