On the transparency of nudges: an experiment

We investigate the effects that different levels of transparency may have on a simple nudge. Using an incentivized task and eliminating possible confounds due to strategic reasoning, we examine how different types of information (positive, negative, or a combination of the two) affect the impact of a nudge on behaviour in an experimental task. Our results indicate that providing reasons in favour of the nudge increases its efficacy, while warning subjects about its potential drawbacks does not significantly reduce it.