To follow or not to follow the herd? Transparency and social norm nudges

Behavioral interventions in general, and nudges particular have become recent years a popular (soft) regulatory instrument all around the world. Despite excitement this policy-relevant field, some concerns been raised. Nudges utilize behavioral biases order to direct an individual's behavior. People, however, are usually not aware of fact that such used influence their Making transparent is important democratic societies; yet, might inhibit effectiveness. Whether transparency inhibits effect nudge was examined with respect default nudges. However, first paper examine effectiveness social norm Using online experiment, we find unlike defaults, where seems inhibitive effects, disclosing way norms work purpose using them diminishes positive effect. By means heterogeneity analysis, show these results (the transparency) hold only for male participants. Given proliferation public policies world, call further research on transparency.