A Nudge in a Sustainable Direction
Just how much can a subtle ‘nudge’ influence human behavior? Environmentalists hope the answer is ‘an awful lot’.
Episode 22
1/23/2025
On a daily basis, humans are nudged, and if it’s done effectively—or if people aren’t paying close enough attention—without necessarily realizing they’re being swayed. Environmentalists latched on to Nudge Theory in the late 2000’s, hoping to make sustainable choices the default, despite the fact that humans aren’t inherently eco-friendly creatures. Jorden and Kimberly discuss the ins and outs of Nudge Theory, whether it’s worth the hype, and whether we should believe anything academics say.
Key Topics Jorden and Kimberly discuss include:
Just how ethical it is to serve cricket-flour muffins under the pretense that they’re your grandma’s classic recipe
Why meat is at the end of a buffet line
How Nudge Theory nearly broke scientific research
What increases the likelihood that recyclables end up in the appropriate bin
How to make sustainable choices more accessible
Where the balance is between individual action and systemic change
Recommended Resources
Where it all began (sort of)
A comprehensive overview of Nudge Theory
A ‘Replication Crisis’ in academia
A recent meta-study evaluating Nudge Theory research
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