When do defaults stick and when are they ethical? - taxonomy, systematic review and design recommendations

In many instances, default nudges are proven to be strong drivers of behavior. However, a number of ethical concerns have been raised. Both, nudge success and ethical concerns, depend heavily on the features of the default nudge, with some of them being shared by defaults in all settings. We systematically review the scientific literature on default nudges from various disciplines and investigate nudge success and ethical concerns with respect to seven main features: (1) the initial state of the choice architecture, (2) the invasiveness, (3) the psychological effect mechanism, (4) the purpose, (5) the visibility, (6) the customization, and (7) the disclosure of the default. When designing a default, as researcher or practitioner, a full consideration of these features is advised. Often enough, choice architects are not aware of the design options. In a nutshell, the welfare losses suffered through the initial choice architecture are often overlooked. Customizations and disclosures of defaults are scarcely used despite easing ethical concerns without negatively affecting nudge success. The psychological effect mechanism, with several ethical implications, remains a theoretical relict that is not empirically researched. Default framing in combination with a choice structuring default can lead to greater nudge success

The price penalty for red meat substitutes in popular dishes and the diversity in substitution

Life cycle assessments (LCA) often highlight the environmental and health benefits for consumers if western diets substitute red meat. However, the specific trade-off consumer face when asked to substitute a red meat dish is scarcely researched, often neglecting the bouquet of substitution options and/or the price component involved. Four substitution strategies are evaluated within an individually adapted choice based conjoint: the substitution by (1) the same red meat dishes with a halved meat portion size, (2) novel plant-based products that mimic the functionality and taste, (3) authentic plant-based components that just mimic the functionality, and (4) vegetarian dishes that just neglect the meat component if still familiar to consumers. The analysis is executed for three popular red meat dishes to account for consistency across meal scenarios, namely Meatballs, Spaghetti Bolognese and Sausage Buns. The analysis is sensitive to red meat consumption habits to better understand the preferences of consumers that can actually substitute a red meat intake.Open-Access-Publikationsfonds 202

When do defaults stick and when are they ethical?

In many instances, default nudges are proven to be strong drivers of behavior. However, a number of ethical concerns have been raised. Both, nudge success and ethical concerns, depend heavily on the features of the default nudge, with some of them being shared by defaults in all settings. We systematically review the scientific literature on default nudges from various disciplines and investigate nudge success and ethical concerns with respect to seven main features: (1) the initial state of the choice architecture, (2) the invasiveness, (3) the psychological effect mechanism, (4) the purpose, (5) the visibility, (6) the customization, and (7) the disclosure of the default. When designing a default, as researcher or practitioner, a full consideration of these features is advised. Often enough, choice architects are not aware of the design options. In a nutshell, the welfare losses suffered through the initial choice architecture are often overlooked. Customizations and disclosures of defaults are scarcely used despite easing ethical concerns without negatively affecting nudge success. The psychological effect mechanism, with several ethical implications, remains a theoretical relict that is not empirically researched. Default framing in combination with a choice structuring default can lead to greater nudge success

Acceptability of jackfruit-nut-bars as a healthy snack in Uganda

The growing prevalence of ultra-processed foods in Uganda is driving the double burden of malnutrition. Overweight and obesity are on the rise while the intake of micronutrients remains insufficient. Simultaneously, jackfruits that are rich in minerals and vitamins remain underutilized. Its large size, sticky insides, and high perishability make it challenging to handle and cause high postharvest losses. In an attempt to address both issues, the present study investigates the potential of long-lasting, nutritious, and sugar-free jackfruit-nut-bars (JNBs) as a channel to enhance and promote the utilization of jackfruit, and provide healthier options of processed foods. To analyze consumer demand for the products, we first assess the sensory perception of four different JNBs at a university campus in Uganda. We then use Van Westendorp’s price sensitivity meter to elicit consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) and identify factors shaping their demand. The results show that the sensory properties are, on average, rated positively, and price preferences are similar to established snacks. Based on our findings, we conclude that JNBs provide an option to enhance jackfruit utilization. A random effects model shows that WTP increases with sweetness, age, and frequency of snack consumption that JNBs can potentially substitute. These findings help future development and promotion of processed jackfruit products

A choice architect’s guide to the (autonomous) galaxy: a systematic scoping review of nudge intrusiveness in food choices

Abstract In seeking to uphold consumer autonomy in the design and implementation of nudge interventions, choice architects must concern themselves with preserving both the availability of options made to consumers (freedom of choice), and the capacity of consumers to deliberate and choose (agency) Several studies aim to examine the extent to which nudges truly uphold autonomy; however, most examine self-reported perceived intrusiveness on autonomy, rather than considering autonomy from the perspective of how nudges are designed. Leveraging a systematic scoping review of nudges related to food choice ( N  = 146), a common policy arena for nudge interventions, we develop a typology of three mechanisms of nudge design that, when not considered, could unduly intrude upon autonomy: (1) the effort to opt out, delineated along economic and physical sub-dimensions; (2) affective influence, such as social reference messaging and emotional appeals; and (3) non-transparency, including of the nudge itself and of non-nudged alternative options. We discuss how each mechanism manifested in reviewed studies, and ultimately offer possible criteria that can be used to evaluate nudge intrusiveness along each mechanism. This typology can support choice architects to discern how nudges might better protect consumer autonomy, and ultimately uphold it in pursuit of behavior change. Our scoping review further provides empirical support for the concept of resistible yet effective nudges

Public acceptance of default nudges to promote healthy and sustainable food choices

Abstract Background Default nudges are an increasingly prominent tool for promoting healthy and sustainable food choices; however, questions of acceptance remain. While default nudges are more acceptable to the public than traditionally paternalistic tools that aim to restrict choice, they are also the least acceptable amongst nudging strategies. Little research has investigated the aspects of default nudge design that can be leveraged to better uphold freedom of choice, increase public acceptance, and therefore heighten legitimacy of default nudges. Consequently, this study examines public acceptance of five food choice default nudges with demonstrated precedent of effectiveness, as drawn from research studies and/or real-world policies, along with a design variation of each anticipated to increase acceptance. Three drivers of acceptance – perceived intrusiveness, perceived effectiveness, and own behavior – are examined. Methods An online survey was administered in Germany (N = 451) to a sample representative of the adult population on quotas of age, gender and income. Acceptance and drivers were measured using seven-point Likert scales. Significant differences in median acceptance of the nudge were determined and displayed graphically. Ten proportional odds ordered logit models were applied and estimated using a maximum likelihood approach to investigate the mechanisms of nudge acceptance. Results Examined changes in nudge design, particularly decreasing costliness of opting out and increasing transparency, increased the acceptance of three of the five nudges (N2.2: p = 0.000; N3.2: p = 0.000; N4.2: p = 0.008). Perceived intrusiveness emerged as the most prominent driver of acceptance (negative relationship), followed by perceived effectiveness (positive relationship). Own engagement in the target behavior of the nudge and socio-demographic variables demonstrated negligible impact on acceptance. Conclusions Mitigating the costliness of opting out and improving nudge transparency emerge as key opportunities for choice architects to improve public acceptance, and thereby potentially identify ‘sweet spots’ in designing default nudges that are both effective and acceptable. The protection of individual freedom of choice and effectiveness are key aspects for choice architects to communicate to increase acceptance

Public acceptance of default nudges to promote healthy and sustainable food choices

Default nudges are an increasingly prominent tool for promoting healthy and sustainable food choices; however, questions of acceptance remain. While default nudges are more acceptable to the public than traditionally paternalistic tools that aim to restrict choice, they are also the least acceptable amongst nudging strategies. Little research has investigated the aspects of default nudge design that can be leveraged to better uphold freedom of choice, increase public acceptance, and therefore heighten legitimacy of default nudges. Consequently, this study examines public acceptance of five food choice default nudges with demonstrated precedent of effectiveness, as drawn from research studies and/or real-world policies, along with a design variation of each anticipated to increase acceptance. Three drivers of acceptance - perceived intrusiveness, perceived effectiveness, and own behavior - are examined

Attention to carbon footprints in food choices and the crowding out effect of attention‐leading nudges

Abstract Consumer attention to carbon footprint labels may trigger efforts to adjust the agri‐food sector toward more sustainable production. To assess attention levels, we used milk and bread products in an information display matrix (IDM), allowing consumers to direct attention or ignore various food product attributes. Our method improved upon previous IDM applications by introducing real‐world complexity, featuring 25 attributes per product and multiple trade‐offs. A randomizer ensured fairness by determining the order of attribute display. Results show that carbon footprints are not the primarily attended attributes. A salience nudge favoring carbon footprints directs attention to it but halves the attention paid to more holistic environmental footprints. We discuss strategies to promote environmental dimensions jointly and provide implications and recommendations for future labeling policies and marketing strategies.Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft https://doi.org/10.13039/501100001659Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft https://doi.org/10.13039/50110000165