'Behavioural Insights and Public Policy: Lessons from Around the World' by the OECD explores how governments are using behavioural science to inform public policy, drawing on real-world examples across a range of policy areas. The book provides an overview of the principles behind behavioural insights, analyzes successful interventions, and offers practical guidelines for applying behavioural insights to policy challenges. By examining case studies globally, this work demonstrates the promise and limitations of nudging techniques and provides recommendations for policymakers. It is an essential resource for public officials, scholars, and practitioners interested in evidence-based policy design.
Small changes in policy design can dramatically influence public behaviour without restricting freedom of choice.
Evidence-based experimentation and pilot testing are crucial to identify effective policies and avoid unintended consequences.
Transparency and ethics are key when using behavioural insights to ensure that citizens' trust and autonomy are preserved.
The book was published in: 2017
AI Rating (from 0 to 100): 87
The UK Behavioural Insights Team redesigned letters sent to delinquent taxpayers by including messages such as '9 out of 10 people in your area pay their taxes on time.' This simple change leveraged social norms to increase tax compliance. As a result, tax collection rates improved significantly, demonstrating the power of small wording changes in official communication.
Danish energy companies provided households with comparative feedback on their energy use, showing how their consumption compared to similar households. By making this information salient, many households reduced their energy consumption voluntarily. This intervention illustrates how providing timely and relevant information can motivate positive behavioural change.
The book covers a U.S. experiment where application forms for social benefits were streamlined and simplified. As a result, more eligible individuals applied for and received benefits. This example underscores the importance of reducing administrative burdens to increase policy uptake.
Austria implemented an opt-out system for organ donation, as opposed to opt-in systems used elsewhere. This change significantly increased organ donation rates, as the default option influenced citizens’ choices. The example shows the power of default settings in policy design.
In an Australian public health initiative, parents received personalised text message reminders for child vaccination appointments. The reminders substantially increased attendance rates, highlighting how timely prompts can improve compliance with important public health measures.
Through automatic enrollment in workplace pension plans under the KiwiSaver program, participation rates rose sharply compared to voluntary enrollment. The intervention used behavioral economics insights about inertia and defaults, helping more people save for retirement without limiting choice.
Canadian authorities tested different messages in school cafeterias to encourage students to waste less food. Messages emphasizing collective action and responsibility led to measurable reductions in food waste. This underscores the value of targeted communication and framing.
A case outlined in the book involved sending personalized letters to unemployed citizens with clear, actionable steps for their job search. This approach led to increased engagement with employment services and improved reemployment rates. It demonstrates how behavioral cues can support individuals in complex tasks.
by Richard H. Thaler and Cass R. Sunstein
AI Rating: 95
AI Review: This foundational book introduces the concept of the nudge—small design changes that can guide choices without restricting them. Thaler and Sunstein use real-world examples to show how policies can be shaped using insights from behavioral economics. A must-read for anyone interested in decision-making and policy design.
View Insightsby Daniel Kahneman
AI Rating: 97
AI Review: Kahneman explores the dual systems of human thinking—fast, intuitive responses and slow, deliberate analysis. The book meticulously explains the cognitive biases that affect our decisions, making it invaluable for policymakers seeking to understand how people process information. Its lessons are foundational to behavioural insights work.
View Insightsby Sendhil Mullainathan and Eldar Shafir
AI Rating: 93
AI Review: This book examines how scarcity of money, time, or resources distorts thinking and behaviour. The authors use rigorous experiments to show how scarcity can create traps that are hard to escape, offering policy suggestions for supporting vulnerable populations. It's highly relevant for social policy practitioners.
View Insightsby Behavioural Insights Team
AI Rating: 89
AI Review: This report provides a practical guide to applying behavioural insights in policymaking, with step-by-step advice on robust experimental design. Real-world case studies illustrate how governments can test and refine interventions before large-scale rollout. It's a valuable primer for implementing behavioural techniques.
View Insightsby David Halpern
AI Rating: 91
AI Review: Halpern, head of the UK's Behavioural Insights Team, offers an insider's perspective on how behavioural science transforms public services. He blends compelling narratives with detailed analysis, revealing successes and challenges in using nudges globally. This is a personal, accessible account for practitioners.
View Insightsby Richard H. Thaler
AI Rating: 92
AI Review: Thaler recounts the evolution of behavioural economics, weaving personal anecdotes with research breakthroughs that challenged traditional economic theory. The book demonstrates how behavioural insights can improve government and business decisions. It's an engaging history and a practical resource.
View Insightsby Dan Ariely
AI Rating: 90
AI Review: Ariely presents a wide range of experiments revealing the systematic biases in human decision-making. The book is rich in relevant examples and practical implications for policy and everyday life. It's widely appreciated for its storytelling and actionable insights.
View Insightsby Alberto Alemanno and Anne-Lise Sibony (Eds.)
AI Rating: 85
AI Review: This book explores the legal, ethical, and regulatory dimensions of nudging within European policy. It's an essential read for policymakers or scholars considering the broader implications of behavioural interventions. Detailed case studies offer practical insights.
View Insightsby Michael Lewis
AI Rating: 88
AI Review: Lewis tells the story of Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky, whose partnership revolutionized our understanding of decision-making under uncertainty. This narrative highlights the development of behavioural economics and cognitive psychology. The storytelling makes complex ideas accessible.
View Insightsby Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
AI Rating: 86
AI Review: Levitt and Dubner encourage creative problem-solving and challenge conventional wisdom in policymaking. Combining behavioural insights with unexpected anecdotes, the book guides readers to think differently about policy challenges. It's as entertaining as it is insightful.
View Insightsby Rolf Dobelli
AI Rating: 84
AI Review: Dobelli distills dozens of cognitive biases into short, readable chapters—helpful for public officials hoping to recognize and avoid mental pitfalls. While not strictly about policy, it's useful for anyone applying behavioural insights to decisions. The practical format makes it an easy reference.
View Insightsby David Halpern
AI Rating: 83
AI Review: This book focuses on how minor adjustments in policies and processes can yield significant outcomes in public services and charitable giving. Halpern explores case studies, emphasizing implementation challenges and success factors. It's ideal for those interested in practical applications.
View Insightsby Cass R. Sunstein (Ed.)
AI Rating: 85
AI Review: A collection of essays on integrating behavioural insights into legal contexts, this book highlights the tension between traditional legal frameworks and new findings in human behaviour. It's particularly useful for readers interested in regulation and legal reform. The essays are both foundational and forward-looking.
View Insightsby Jonah Berger
AI Rating: 82
AI Review: Berger delves into the social and psychological factors that unconsciously drive our actions, from peer pressure to subtle cues in the environment. The book sheds light on mechanisms behind successful behaviour-based interventions. It's engaging and accessible for non-experts.
View Insightsby Paul A. Samuelson and William A. Barnett (Eds.)
AI Rating: 81
AI Review: Through interviews with leading economists, this collection explores the evolution of economic thought—including behavioral perspectives. It provides context for how behavioural insights are shaping modern economics and policymaking. It's ideal for readers seeking in-depth background.
View Insightsby Roger A. Pielke Jr.
AI Rating: 80
AI Review: This book discusses the complex role of science and expertise in shaping public policy, including the use of behavioural evidence. Pielke guides scientists and policymakers on how to effectively communicate and broker knowledge. It's invaluable for anyone working at the science-policy interface.
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