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When do Default Nudges Work?

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  • Carl Bonander
  • Mats Ekman
  • Niklas Jakobsson

Abstract

Nudging is a burgeoning topic in science and in policy, but evidence on the effectiveness of nudges among differentially-incentivized groups is lacking. This paper exploits regional variations in the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine in Sweden to examine the effect of a nudge on groups whose intrinsic incentives are different: 16-17-year-olds, for whom Covid-19 is not dangerous, and 50-59-year-olds, who face a substantial risk of death or severe dis-ease. We find a significantly stronger response in the younger group, consistent with the theory that nudges are more effective for choices that are not meaningful to the individual.

Suggested Citation

  • Carl Bonander & Mats Ekman & Niklas Jakobsson, 2023. "When do Default Nudges Work?," Papers 2301.08797, arXiv.org, revised Aug 2023.
    • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:2301.08797
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bonander, Carl & Ekman, Mats & Jakobsson, Niklas, 2022. "Vaccination nudges: A study of pre-booked COVID-19 vaccinations in Sweden," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 309(C).
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    11. Megan O’Driscoll & Gabriel Ribeiro Dos Santos & Lin Wang & Derek A. T. Cummings & Andrew S. Azman & Juliette Paireau & Arnaud Fontanet & Simon Cauchemez & Henrik Salje, 2021. "Age-specific mortality and immunity patterns of SARS-CoV-2," Nature, Nature, vol. 590(7844), pages 140-145, February.
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