Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/271865 
Year of Publication: 
2023
Series/Report no.: 
CESifo Working Paper No. 10221
Publisher: 
Center for Economic Studies and ifo Institute (CESifo), Munich
Abstract: 
We use a ten-round online mind game to determine whether the effect of honesty nudges depends on timing and content. Reminding individuals about the right thing to do increases honesty. Including information that it is possible to assess an individual's dishonesty strengthens the effect of the intervention. Both types of intervention are similarly effective when they take place before an individual has made any decision or after individuals have played five rounds of the mind game. Nudging an individual after they have made five decisions allows us to add personalized information based on the individual's previous response; however, this does not increase honesty. Examining the reaction to nudges based on previous behavior shows that (presumably) honest and dishonest individuals respond by reducing overreporting. The effect of the different nudge content is driven by those previously dishonest.
Subjects: 
dishonesty
lying
cheating
honesty nudge
moral reminder
deterrence
JEL: 
C91
C92
M52
J28
J33
Document Type: 
Working Paper
Appears in Collections:

Files in This Item:
File
Size





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.