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Nudging: meaning, definitions and examples

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nudging

 

[ ˈnʌdʒɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

behavioral science

Nudging refers to the practice of subtly guiding individuals toward making certain decisions without restricting their choices. It is based on the idea that small changes in the environment can significantly influence people's behavior and decision-making processes. The term gained popularity through the work of behavioral economists Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein, who emphasized the effectiveness of prompts and suggestions in altering choices. Nudging can be seen in various contexts, including public policy, marketing, and health interventions.

Synonyms

encouraging, guiding, prompting

Examples of usage

  • The government implemented nudging strategies to encourage healthy eating habits.
  • Nudging can help individuals save more for retirement through automatic enrollment.
  • Using default options is a common nudging technique in behavioral economics.
  • The app uses nudging to remind users to drink more water throughout the day.

Translations

Translations of the word "nudging" in other languages:

🇵🇹 empurrar suavemente

🇮🇳 हल्के से धकेलना

🇩🇪 anstoßen

🇮🇩 menyentuh lembut

🇺🇦 підштовхування

🇵🇱 popchnięcie

🇯🇵 軽く押すこと

🇫🇷 pousser doucement

🇪🇸 empujar suavemente

🇹🇷 nazikçe itmek

🇰🇷 부드럽게 밀기

🇸🇦 دفع خفيف

🇨🇿 lehké pošťouchnutí

🇸🇰 jemné pošťuchovanie

🇨🇳 轻推

🇸🇮 rahlo potisniti

🇮🇸 létt að ýta

🇰🇿 жұмсақ итеру

🇬🇪 ნაზი გაწვრთნა

🇦🇿 yüngül itmək

🇲🇽 empujar suavemente

Word origin

The term 'nudging' originates from the idea of 'nudging' someone gently, metaphorically suggesting a light push in a desired direction. Its modern usage in behavioral science and economics started to take shape in the early 2000s, primarily through the influential book 'Nudge' published in 2008 by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein. In their work, they discussed how minor changes in how choices are presented can lead people to make decisions that align better with their long-term interests. This concept gained traction as it provided a framework for understanding human behavior that deviated from traditional economic theories, which assumed rational decision-making. As the concept of nudging continued to evolve, it found applications in areas such as public health campaigns, financial decision-making, and environmental sustainability, appealing to policymakers and organizations looking to influence behavior without imposing regulations.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,717, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.