How can mass populations be gently guided toward more sustainable, environmentally-cognisant choices? Nudge psychology suggests that subtle suggestions playing on the unconscious mind can allow individuals to adjust their internal reasoning in desirable ways. Bluedot Institute student Juliet Falk writes that tactics like appealing to a positive social image, appealing to groupthink, and even appealing to natural laziness could help push people in the right direction.
“Nudges only guide behavior — the final decision is up to the individual. A nudge makes one option more appealing than others, perhaps advertising its environmental friendliness. Nudges can be applied anywhere: the workplace, an airport, your home, the grocery store.”
Bluedot Living periodically showcases student work from the Bluedot Institute: a non-profit public benefit corporation dedicated to supporting students and their teachers in creating local, solution oriented projects that address the environment and climate change.