Behavioural spillovers unpacked: estimating the side effects of social norm nudges

Picard, Julien and Banerjee, Sanchayan ORCID: 0000-0002-0176-0429 (2023) Behavioural spillovers unpacked: estimating the side effects of social norm nudges. Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment Working Paper (402). Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK.

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Abstract

Fighting the climate crisis requires changing many aspects of our consumption habits. Previous studies show that a first pro-environmental action can lead to another. But does this spillover effect persist when nudges foster the initial action? We model the mechanisms leading nudges to alter such behavioural spillovers. In an online experiment (n=2775), we test if encouraging vegetarianism with a social norm nudge alters environmental donations. The nudge is effective in increasing intentions to choose vegetarian food. Using machine learning, we find that a subgroup drives this effect. We also see a positive spillover effect: choosing vegetarian food increases donations. However, the nudge crowds out this spillover effect for the subgroup identified with machine learning. Our results suggest that social norm nudges are effective but crowd out people’s willingness to do more.

Item Type:	Monograph (Working Paper)
Official URL:	https://www.lse.ac.uk/granthaminstitute/publicatio...
Additional Information:	© 2023 The Author(s)
Divisions:	Geography and Environment
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences H Social Sciences > HM Sociology
JEL classification:	C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods > C3 - Econometric Methods: Multiple; Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables; Endogenous Regressors > C30 - General C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods > C9 - Design of Experiments > C93 - Field Experiments D - Microeconomics > D9 - Intertemporal Choice and Growth > D91 - Intertemporal Consumer Choice; Life Cycle Models and Saving Z - Other Special Topics > Z1 - Cultural Economics; Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology > Z10 - General
Date Deposited:	30 Oct 2023 14:48
Last Modified:	23 Jun 2025 14:42
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/120566

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