Boosting decision-making skills

A new review article highlights the untapped potential of behavioral science for public policy

In the face of growing global challenges—such as climate change, pandemics, and threats to democratic values—a responsible, competent, and resilient society is more crucial than ever. Policy approaches like 'nudging,' designed to guide people toward better decisions, are increasingly being criticised. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in Berlin take a different approach known as 'boosting.'

As global challenges intensify, policy approaches informed by behavioral science are being reassessed. The once-dominant ‘nudging’ approach, designed to steer people toward better decisions, is now facing criticism for reasons that include failing to sufficiently promote individual autonomy.  

In contrast, boosting is gaining importance. This approach is based on empirically supported idea that people are capable of making far better decisions than is often assumed. Rather than steering people’s behavior, boosting focuses on empowering individuals by enhancing their abilities to exercise self-control and make informed decisions in an increasingly complex world.

'The challenges we face today require more than subtle nudges. Boosting is about empowering people to take control of their lives and make decisions that benefit both themselves and society,' says Stefan Herzog, Senior Researcher at the Center for Adaptive Rationality of the Max Planck Institute for Human Development.

Herzog, who holds a Ph.D. in cognitive psychology, has co-authored a freely accessible article on boosting with director Ralph Hertwig. In it, they explain why empowering and activating individuals is crucial for enabling self-determined action—particularly in socially relevant areas such as climate change, pandemics, and threats to democratic values. Their findings have been published in the Annual Review of Psychology.

Nudging has its limits

The researchers argue that we live in a highly commercialized and often manipulative environment—from fast food to social media, the modern environment is designed to exploit and influence human behaviour, often serving commercial interests at the expense of individuals and the common good. This is where nudging reaches its limits, as it frequently fails to provide lasting or robust resistance to such influences.

'Our consumer environment is designed to exploit our natural tendencies,' explains Stefan Herzog. 'Boosting is essential because it equips people with the skills to navigate and resist these manipulative forces.'

Boosting focuses on developing fundamental skills needed to navigate today’s ultra-processed world. Stefan Herzog and his colleagues collect examples of boosts on the website scienceofboosting.org. One such example is teaching basic statistical literacy, which helps people better understand probabilities. For instance, the statement that a drug has ‘50 percent more side effects’ is meaningless unless the base rate is given. A 50 percent increase in side effects when comparing two drugs could mean an increase from 2 to 3 cases per 10,000 patients—still a relatively low rate.

Another example of boosting is ‘lateral reading’—a strategy used by fact-checkers to assess the credibility of online information. Rather than analysing a source in isolation, fact-checkers investigate what other reliable sources say about it. Training in lateral reading can help the general public better distinguish between trustworthy and untrustworthy online sources.

An effective blend of boosting and nudging

Self-nudges offer a simple yet effective way to combine boosting and nudging. They allow individuals to reshape their immediate environment on their own initiative, helping them achieve their goals more effectively. For example, a person can strengthen their self-control over unhealthy eating by intentionally placing tempting foods out of reach.

While boosting has clear benefits, the authors emphasize that it should be part of a broad policy mix. Overcoming the challenges of commercial and manipulative environments also requires systemic changes, such as incentives and regulations. However, these measures are often slow to implement or socially contested. In the meantime, equipping individuals with the skills to protect their autonomy and well-being remains essential.

The researchers also emphasise that boosting must be implemented carefully. In particular, policymakers should ensure that commercial players are not absolved of responsibility while placing too much burden on individuals. ‘Boosts aim to support active decision-making and autonomous behaviour, as both are key to well-being, life satisfaction, and health,’ says Ralph Hertwig, Director at the Center for Adaptive Rationality of the Max Planck Institute for Human Development. 'However, approaches that focus on the individual should not divert attention from the broader question of which systemic measures—such as bans or financial incentives—are necessary to address today’s challenges. We must pursue both strategies rather than prioritising one at the expense of the other,’ Hertwig continues.

Key points:

  • The article highlights untapped potential of behavioural science to inform public policy in an increasingly complex world.  

  • While nudging is increasingly criticised for not sufficiently promoting individual autonomy, boosting seeks to empower people by enhancing their decision-making and self-control skills in a complex world.

  • To address the complex challenges of our time, we need a comprehensive policy mix that combines systemic changes—such as incentives and regulations—with behavioural policy approaches like boosting.

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