The (bitter) sweet taste of nudge effectiveness

The role of habits in a portion size nudge, a proof of concept study

Datos Bibliográficos

ID11364310
AutoresTina A G Venema (0000-0002-3939-2828, Utrecht University, autor de correspondencia), Floor M Kroese (0000-0002-6626-483X, Utrecht University), Bas Verplanken (0000-0001-7217-0293, University of Bath), Denise De Ridder (0000-0002-8237-9506, Utrecht University), Denise T D De Ridder
Año2020
Volumen151
Páginas104699
Fecha de publicación2020-08-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaAppetite (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0195-6663 • E-ISSN: 1095-8304
EditorialElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.appet.2020.104699
PMID32277952
OpenAlexW3016072253
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas9
Referencias citadas31

Seemingly insignificant daily practices, such as sugar usage in tea, can have a great accumulated impact on societal issues, such as obesity. That is why these behaviours are often the target of nudge interventions. However, when these behaviours are performed frequently they may turn into habits that are difficult to change. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether a portion size nudge has the potential to work in accordance with (instead of against) existing habits. Specifically, it was tested whether a portion size nudge would be more effective in reducing the amount of sugar added to tea, when people have a strong habit of adding a fixed amount of teaspoons of sugar to a cup of tea. The study (N = 123) had a mixed factorial design with teaspoon size (reduced size vs. control) as a within-subject factor, and habit disruption context condition (hot tea vs. cold tea) as a between-subjects factor. A paired t-test indicated that this nudge reduced sugar intake on average by 27% within subjects. When the context allowed for automatic enactment of the habit, the effectiveness of this nudge was moderated by habit strength. Surprisingly, the nudge effect was actually less pronounced when people had a strong habit. Implications for effective nudge interventions are discussed

Biology · Habit · Nudge theory · Sugar · Taste · Behavioral Health and Interventions · Eating Disorders and Behaviors · Psychology · Sensory Analysis and Statistical Methods · Social Psychology · Food Science · Toxicology