Abstract
Public acceptability of nudging is receiving increasingly more attention, but studies remain limited to evaluations of aspects of the nudge itself or (inferred intentions) of the nudger. Yet, it is important to investigate which individuals are likely to accept nudges, as those who are supposed to benefit from the implementation should not oppose it. The main objective of this study was to integrate research on self-regulation and nudging, and to examine acceptability of nudges as a function of self-regulation capacity and motivation. Participants (N = 301) filled in questionnaires about several components of self-regulation capacity (self-control, proactive coping competence, self-efficacy, perceived control and perceived difficulty) and motivation (autonomous motivation and controlled motivation). To evaluate nudge acceptability, we used three vignettes describing three types of nudges (default, portion size, and rearrangement) that stimulated either a pro-self behavior (healthy eating) or pro-social behavior (sustainable eating) and asked participants to rate the nudges on (aspects of) acceptability. Results revealed that there were substantial differences in acceptability between the three types of nudges, such that the default nudge was seen as less acceptable and the rearrangement nudge as most acceptable. The behavior that was stimulated did not affect acceptability, even though the nudges that targeted healthy eating were seen as more pro-self than the nudges targeting sustainable eating. From all self-regulation components, autonomous motivation was the only measure that was consistently associated with nudge acceptability across the three nudges. For self-regulatory capacity, only some elements were occasionally related to acceptability for some nudges. The current study thus shows that people are more inclined to accept nudges that target behaviors that they are autonomously motivated for, while people do not meaningfully base their judgments of acceptability on self-regulatory capacity.
Highlights
Behavioral science has focused on improving self-regulation as a central route for success in life [1]
From all self-regulation components, autonomous motivation was the only measure that was consistently associated with nudge acceptability across the three nudges
For self-regulatory capacity, only some elements were occasionally related to acceptability for some nudges
Summary
Behavioral science has focused on improving self-regulation as a central route for success in life [1]. The focus of behavior change experts gradually shifted from the individual and its capacities to the environment in which the individual navigates. With this shift came the interest in nudging as a novel and supplemental behavior change technique [2]. Currently there is little knowledge about the interplay between self-regulatory processes and strategic changes in the environment to stimulate desirable behavior, and there is a need for integration of these two routes towards behavior change in order to obtain a better understanding of the promise and pitfalls of nudging. The main objective of this study was to integrate research on self-regulation and nudging, and to examine acceptability of nudges as a function of self-regulation capacity and motivation
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