Nudging: An experiment on transparency, accounting for reactance and response time

Abstract

Is being informed about a nudge detrimental to its effect? This paper reports results from an experimental online study testing the effects of transparency on the effectiveness of a default nudge while accounting for psychological reactance and response time. Overall and in line with earlier studies, we find no negative effect of transparency on average behaviour. Adding to the previous discussion, we find that effects of transparency differ depending on response time. In particular, decision makers with longer response time in fact react more positively (keeping the default) if nudging is made transparent. Moreover, the data show an interaction of reactance and response time in that more reactant subjects with longer response time leave the default more often. Thus, a positive effect of transparency as well as a negative impact of reactance can be established in the data if response time is accounted for.

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