Ivo Vlaev
Recent developments in behaviour change and decision theory (nudge theory)
This lecture aims to introduce the key assumptions in economics, as well as models and
data from behavioural economics which is an emerging academic discipline that makes
more realistic assumptions about the psychology of economic agents. The focus,
however, is on the impact on choice, public/patient and provider behaviour, behaviour
change and choice architecture. The ability to influence behaviour is central to many of
the key health policy challenges.
Dolan, P., Hallsworth, M., Halpern, D., King, D., Metcalfe, R., & Vlaev, I. (2012). Influencing
behaviour: the mindspace way. Journal of Economic Psychology, 33, 264-277.
Michie, S., M.M. van Stralen, & R. West (2011). The behaviour change wheel: A new
method for characterising and designing behaviour change interventions.
Implementation Science, 6, 42.
Thaler, R. H., & Sunstein, C. R. (2008). Nudge: Improving decisions about health, wealth,
and happiness. Yale University Press, New Haven, CT.
Vlaev, I., & Dolan, P. (2015). Action change theory: A reinforcement learning perspective
on behavior change. Review of General Psychology, 19, 69-95.