Nudges: The secrets of persuasion

The Concept of Nudging to Influence Human Behavior

Nudging, a subtle way of altering human behavior, is used by governments, advertisers, and social media companies to encourage people into making choices that benefit themselves and society. For instance, supermarkets may place healthy snacks prominently and hide unhealthy items to nudge consumers towards healthier choices. However, nudging is often exploited by businesses for profit rather than societal good, raising ethical concerns about its impact. Nudge theory, introduced by Nobel Prize economist Professor Richard Taylor, has sparked debates on the morality and implications of influencing behavior.