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Hidden Costs of the Effectiveness of Nudge Interventions

Author(s): Marta Marcjanik
Subject(s): Public Administration, Political economy, Policy, planning, forecast and speculation
Published by: Szkoła Główna Handlowa w Warszawie
Keywords: behavioural interventions; nudge; public policy; behavioural economics;

Summary/Abstract: Although behavioural interventions have gained significant popularity in public policy due to their effectiveness, low implementation costs and reputation as a "soft" form of influence, a growing body of research reveals their less obvious - and often overlooked - costs. This article adopts a conceptual and narrative review approach, aiming to draw policymakers' and decision architects' attention to the fact that effectiveness does not always equate to improved well-being. The authors present an empirically grounded catalogue of the costs of nudges, organised into four domains of impact: emotional and cognitive costs, behavioural costs, social and relational costs, and secondary costs. The proposed typology provides a starting point for better identifying potential unintended costs and for designing more mindful public policy interventions.

  • Issue Year: 13/2026
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 77-92
  • Page Count: 16
  • Language: Polish
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