The hidden costs of nudging: Experimental evidence from reminders in fundraising

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Damgaard, Mette Trier; Gravert, Christina
• 署名单位: Aarhus University; University of Gothenburg
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF PUBLIC ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0047-2727
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpubeco.2017.11.005
• 发表日期: 2018
• 页码: 15-26
• 关键词: Avoiding-the-ask; Charitable giving; field experiment; Inattention; Nudge; Reminders

摘要

We document the hidden costs of a popular nudge and show how these costs distort policy making when neglected. In a field experiment with a charity, we find reminders increasing intended behavior (donations), but also increasing avoidance behavior (unsubscriptions from the mailing list). We develop a dynamic model of donation and unsubscription behavior with limited attention. We test the model in a second field experiment which also provides evidence that the hidden costs are anticipated. The model is estimated structurally to perform a welfare analysis. Not accounting for hidden costs overstates the welfare effects for donors by factor ten and hides potential negative welfare effects of the charity.