Implications for Research and Practice

In this chapter, building upon the arguments outlined in the preceding chapters, I discuss implications for both research and practice. Implications for research relate to overcoming publications biases towards nudging and effective interventions, contextualizing behavioral public policy, taking a broader perspective on outcomes, and considering unintended consequences of interventions, promoting methodological diversity. As for practice, policymakers should consider utilizing the entire behavioral toolbox, extending beyond nudging. Behavioral units can enhance their activities by applying behavioral insights to existing policies, rather than solely focusing on designing and implementing RCTs for new interventions. Additionally, while scaling up interventions is valuable, gaining a better understanding of local contexts can shed light on which policies are better suited to remain local and small.