Topic: Behavioral Decision Making
Shaming of Tax Delinquents Works
34,334 letters were sent to test how sensitive those owing back taxes are to neighbors’ knowledge of the debts
Sensitivity to Debt Type Predicts Financial Health
Research reveals that those wary of payday loans tend to manage their finances better
Save, Save, Save, but Then What? Financial Structure and Spending in Retirement
Innumerable nudges help savings accumulation; now researchers turn to decumulation
Sales Promotions Influence People Beyond Purchasing Decisions
Exposure to discounts makes people impatient
Rich People: Hated in China, Venerated in America?
Research suggests the nations actually have similar feelings toward wealth
Research on Food Assistance Attitudes Shows People Overestimate Stigma Around Welfare
But correcting this misperception doesn’t necessarily boost applications
Reducing Partisan Hostility Can Be Surprisingly Simple
Megastudy: strategies reduce political animosity, but don’t necessarily improve — and may harm — commitment to democratic principles
Property Taxes to Fund Schools: Households With Enrolled Children Protest Levies Less Often
When people learn the actual portion of taxes spent on schools, tax protests by parents fall, but protests by nonparents rise
Populism’s Rise in U.S. Isn’t Only About Anger
2016 vote shares for Trump and Sanders point to a mix of negative emotions
Political and Charitable Giving: One Rises, the Other Falls
In an election year, that’s bad news for organizations like the American Red Cross
People Suffer From Hiding Their Feelings – So Might Their Employers
Forced to nod in agreement, workers may embrace conspiracy theories, be less trusting
People Prioritize Shared Experiences, Even When Apart
People will endure inconvenience to synchronize events, regardless of proximity
People Don’t Mind Government Nudges, but Prefer Them Free of Politics
When an unloved cause or political adversary is attached to a nudge, the method itself becomes suspect
Patience Is a Virtue — Up to a Certain Point
The happiest people are moderately patient, not into extreme delayed gratification
Overcoming Obstacles to Taking Better Care of Your Future Self
Hal Hershfield’s book offers research-backed methods to build a healthier, happier, more financially secure life
Our Flawed Pursuit of Happiness — and How to Get It Right
New approaches to spending and time-management examine how our actions do or don’t influence our level of satisfaction