Nudging

“Riccardo Viale takes a keen and critical look at the nudging philosophy, contending that the biases presented to justify governmental nudging are better understood as adaptive behavior, and that the popular theory of Systems 1 and 2 cognition lacks scientific soundness. Moreover, he proposes a much better strategy: boosting rather than nudging people. Lucid and jargon-free, Nudging will have a lasting impact on the field. An enjoyably sophisticated book that is worth reading more than once.” —Gerd Gigerenzer, author of Calculated Risks, Gut Feelings, and Risk Savvy “Nudging is a fabulous book. Anyone interested in the psychological basis of how people influence each other will want to read it. Because nudge units are quickly springing up throughout the world, people who delay getting a copy of the book and reading it cover to cover are at serious risk of being left behind. Be aware that the preceding sentences are structured around three key nudge principles. To learn more, get a copy of Nudging—and do it today!” —Hersh Shefrin, Mario L. Belotti Professor of Finance, Leavey School of Business, Santa Clara University “Viale presents an engaging, highly readable account of nudge theory and practice. This is an intellectually rooted narrative that is able to examine individual- and social-level dimensions of behavioral public policy with equal subtlety. Viale gradually builds to a valuable and memorable statement on the differences between nudging for good and nudging for evil, guidelines that policy makers could use and implement to great social benefit.” —Varun Gauri, Princeton University and the Brookings Institution “By bringing the self as an active participant in the nudging process, Viale provides a rich platform for discussing libertarian paternalism and developing tools that can use our adaptive inclinations and heuristics as assets rather than liabilities. His inclusive approach opens new doors for all choice architects to produce many goods from behavioral economics and cognitive science insights for society.” —Shabnam Mousavi, Max Planck Institute for Human Development