From a Nudge to a Nudge Plus in Behavioral Policy: A Meta-Synthesis of Studies from the Last Three Decades

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
محمد مهدی ذوالفقارزاده 1
Seyedeh Fatemeh Seyed Mohsen 2
mohsen kouhbor 2
heidar najafi 3
1 Associate professor, Department of Public Policy and Administration, Faculty of Public Administration and Organizational Sciences, College of Management, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
2 PhD student, Department of Leadership and Human Capital, Faculty of Public Administration and Organizational Sciences, College of Management, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
3 PhD student, Department of Public Policy and Administration, Faculty of Public Administration and Organizational Sciences, College of Management, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
10.22047/hsd.2025.543804.1102
Abstract
In recent years, the field of behavioral insights, with its emphasis on human cognitive and behavioral mechanisms, has garnered significant attention from many organizations in both the public and non-profit sectors, as well as the private and business sectors, as an innovative approach to problem-solving. It has fostered areas such as behavioral economics and behavioral policymaking in theory and practice. "Nudge" is one of the key concepts in this field, based on a type of solutions and decision-making patterns rooted in human cognitive biases. Given the criticisms leveled against this key concept in recent years regarding the scope and duration of its impact, methodological considerations, and its ethical and value dimensions, experts have attempted to introduce another new category into the scientific literature of this field, called "nudge plus," by utilizing concepts such as "boost" and "think" in behavioral insights studies. Accordingly, the present study aims to comparatively analyze traditional and novel approaches in behavioral policymaking, with an emphasis on the concept of "nudges plus." This research has employed documentary studies and meta-synthesis methods. In the findings section, three main discourses in behavioral insights studies, including the classic nudge approach (behavioral intervention to shape desired behavior), the reinforcement approach (promoting individuals' competencies to achieve desired behavior), and the meta-nudge approach (behavioral intervention to reinforce desired actions), have been compared from various dimensions.
Keywords
Behavioral policymaking
Nudge
Nudge plus
Boost
Behavioral insights
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Development of humanities
Volume 6, Issue 12 - Serial Number 12
Humanities
Volume 6, Autumn and Winter 2025-2026, No. 12
March 2026
Pages 59-88