nudgeidels

Nudgeidels are a hypothetical concept within behavioral economics and psychology, representing small, unobtrusive interventions designed to influence individual behavior in a predictable way, without forbidding any options or significantly changing economic incentives. The term itself is a portmanteau of "nudge," as popularized by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein, and "models," suggesting that these nudges are based on an understanding of underlying cognitive processes and decision-making biases.

The core idea behind nudgeidels is to leverage insights from behavioral science to guide people towards choices that are in their best interest, or in the best interest of society, by altering the "choice architecture" – the environment in which people make decisions. Examples include setting defaults, providing timely feedback, or framing options in a particular way. A nudgeidel would be a formalized, perhaps even mathematically described, application of these principles to achieve a specific behavioral outcome.

Unlike mandates or bans, nudgeidels operate on the principle of libertarian paternalism, aiming to steer choices without infringing on freedom. The effectiveness of a nudgeidel would be contingent on its design, requiring a deep understanding of the cognitive heuristics and biases that influence the target population. Research in this area focuses on identifying which nudges work for whom and under what circumstances, leading to the development of more precise and effective nudgeidels. The concept implies a move towards more data-driven and scientifically informed approaches to policy and personal development.