Nudges (Behavioural Economics)
- Levels: AS, A Level, IB
- Exam boards: AQA, Edexcel, OCR, IB, Eduqas, WJEC
A nudge is a technique used by choice architects in order to change someone’s behaviour in a very easy and low-cost way, without reducing the number of choices available. We often see it described as “non-enforced compliance”.
Choice architects and policy makers aim to change people’s behaviour and alter their decisions more effectively using a nudge rather than relying on fresh pieces of legislation or direct enforcement. It has been described as “libertarian paternalism”.
Nudge theory is generally used to describe situations where nudges are used to improve the life and wellbeing of people and society.
President Obama established the White House Social and Behavioural Sciences Team and the UK government has the Behavioural Insights Team (BIT) – these make active use of nudge theory to improve social outcomes.
Here are two short videos featuring Dr David Halpern from the Behavioural Insights Team discussing nudges and (in the second example) how they might be used to tackle the growing problem of childhood obesity.
Subscribe to email updates from tutor2u Economics
Join 1000s of fellow Economics teachers and students all getting the tutor2u Economics team's latest resources and support delivered fresh in their inbox every morning.
You can also follow @tutor2uEconomics on Twitter, subscribe to our YouTube channel, or join our popular Facebook Groups.
Job board
Economics B (2016 Specification) Examiner - GCE A Level
Pearson, Home based
Related Collections
You might also like
From the Blog
More Study notes
-
Join the tutor2u Economics team for the 2019/20 edition of A-Level Economics Strong Foundations - the exam workshop for all Year 13 A-Level Economics Students wanting to lay the foundations for...
-
Our A Level Economics Grade Booster workshop is designed to provide essential revision support to all A Level Economics students as they complete their preparation for the three papers in...
Popular Content
-
AQA A Level Economics Challenge Book - Microeconomics
- SKU: 02-4130-30165-01
-
Printed Edition
- £5.95
Added to your Shopping Cart!
AQA A Level Economics Challenge Book - Microeconomics
- SKU: 02-4130-30165-01
-
Printed Edition
- £5.95
-
AQA A Level Economics Diagram Practice Book
- SKU: 02-4130-30187-01
-
Printed Edition
-
Student personal license
- £7.95
Added to your Shopping Cart!
AQA A Level Economics Diagram Practice Book
- SKU: 02-4130-30187-01
-
Printed Edition
- £7.95
Teaching Vacancies
-
Examiner- GCE A Level - Economics (2015 Specification)
Pearson, Home based
-
Head of Department - A Level Economics Teacher 9 days left to apply
Runnymede College, Madrid
-
Teacher of Economics - Maternity Cover 7 days left to apply
Stonyhurst College, Clitheroe
-
Head of Economics and Business
Leighton Park School, Reading
- Browse all jobs ›
Advertise your vacancies with tutor2u

Much cheaper & more effective than TES or the Guardian. Reach the audience you really want to apply for your teaching vacancy by posting directly to our website and related social media audiences.