The power of a nudge

The power of a nudge

Article:

1. Archana Vyas, has discussed about the impact of Behavioral Science in Policy Making.

Behavioral Science: a branch of science (such as psychology, sociology, or anthropology) that deals primarily with human action and often seeks to make generalization about human behavior in society.

Important Analysis:

2. According to Author, it is very important to understand Behavioral Science to design effective public policies.
3. OECD report says, 202 institutions around the world are applying behavioral insights to public policy in developed and as well as in developing countries.
4. Why are governments including behavioral science in policy making:

• Well-intentioned public policy programs fail to be adopted by people who would benefit from them the most.
• People repeatedly make decisions that serve neither their own interests nor of others. For instance, despite access to toilets, open defecation remains a huge challenge.
• To fill in the gap between the policy’s intent and action of the Government, behavioral science is needed.

5. How individual’s actions raises need of Behavioral Science in policy making

• Until recently, it was assumed that individuals make rational choices, and the right incentives determine the right choices.
• However, People’s choices and decisions are not rational but determined by complex set of psychological, cognitive and behavioral factors.
• Decisions also tend to be blurred because of societal perceptions and adherence to norms, for instance, girls are still married young.

6. Aspects that could be considered while applying behavioral science

• The advantages deploying behavioral science can only be reaped if differences in socio-economic, cultural and political are considered.
• Needs analysis of social norms such as popular rituals, like keeping a baby away from the ground in a cot (palna).

7. Benefits of deploying Behavioral Science in Policy making:

• Can be applied to large-scale programs to generate effective and sustained results. Such as, effort taken by PeNN SoNG NGO working against open defecation.
• Data collected and evaluated from a behavioral insights approach can be used for better management of programs performances.
• Can reduce the intent-to-action gap of Government policy.
• Can reduce Poor adherence and Increase compliance for sustained impact throughout the life of a policy intervention. For instance, Kilkari, a mobile service by the government that delivers free, weekly and time-appropriate audio messages about pregnancy, childbirth and childcare directly to families’ mobile phones. It focuses on improving uptake of health services.