Richard H. Thaler's Blog

Here’s how Washington State’s nudge for state park donations works via its web site

A couple years ago, Washington State switched the default rule on state park fees that drivers pay (or don’t pay) when they renew their licenses. Reader Steve Loeb nicely captures what this switch looks like on the Washington State Department of Licensing site.

Here's how Washington State's nudge for state park donations works via its web site

A couple years ago, Washington State switched the default rule on state park fees that drivers pay (or don't pay) when they renew their licenses. Reader Steve Loeb nicely captures what this switch looks like on the Washington State Department of Licensing site.

Where is behavioral economics headed in the world of marketing?

The Nudge blog sat down (electronically) with John Kenny, Senior Vice President of Strategic Planning in Draftfcb's Chicago office, to explore whether behavioral economics is just a fad in marketing or a legitimate tool to help the industry perform better. Starting with the Institute of Decision Making, Draftfcb has been one of the leaders in thinking about how to incorporate the discipline of behavioral economics with the practice, and business, of modern advertising and marketing...

A devious little marketing nudge

Courtesy of computer security provider Lavasoft (spotted by a sharp behavioral graduate student at Booth).

Yes, you can click the grayed-out button on the left and "update" to the free software.

 

The landfill nudge at the University of Pennsylvania

Hat tip: Matthew Buechler

The Obama administration launches RECAP

It goes by the name "Smart Disclosure," in an announcement to the heads of federal departments and agencies.

The term "smart disclosure" refers to the timely release of complex information and data in standardized, machine readable formats in ways that enable consumers to make informed decisions. Smart disclosure will typically take the form of providing individual consumers of goods and services with direct access to relevant information and data sets. Such information might involve, for...

“Mandate-Schmandate,” Rick Perry and the HPV vaccine – by Richard Thaler

Nudge blog note: Last night’s Republican debate prompted Richard Thaler to weigh in on Rick Perry’s handling of an HPV vaccine executive order, but not the policy itself. Also, Thaler recently started tweeting. Follow him.

By Richard Thaler

In the Republican Presidential debate last night at the Reagan library a question emerged about Rick Perry’s now famous 2007 executive order requiring all Texas girls to receive a vaccine against the human papillomavirus (HPV) before entering the sixth grade...

"Mandate-Schmandate," Rick Perry and the HPV vaccine – by Richard Thaler

Nudge blog note: Last night's Republican debate prompted Richard Thaler to weigh in on Rick Perry's handling of an HPV vaccine executive order, but not the policy itself. Also, Thaler recently started tweeting. Follow him.

By Richard Thaler

In the Republican Presidential debate last night at the Reagan library a question emerged about Rick Perry's now famous 2007 executive order requiring all Texas girls to receive a vaccine against the human papillomavirus (HPV) before entering the sixth...

Was this yard sale successful?

The problem with this sign is that the best yard sale goodies were probably available "yesterday." You're down to the dregs today. Better to post a sign that is fuzzy with time and refers only to "today."

Hat tip to photographer Mary Ann Henningsen.

Prospect theory in the Moneyball movie

"I hate losing more than I even wanna win." – Oakland Athletics General Manager Billy Beane (or some creative Hollywood writer channeling Billy Beane)

Around 40 seconds in.