title: The Council of Psychological Advisers.
abstract: Findings in behavioral science, including psychology, have influenced policies and reforms in many nations. Choice architecture can affect outcomes even if material incentives are not involved. In some contexts, default rules, simplification, and social norms have had even larger effects than significant economic incentives. Psychological research is helping to inform initiatives in savings, finance, highway safety, consumer protection, energy, climate change, obesity, education, poverty, development, crime, corruption, health, and the environment. No nation has yet created a council of psychological advisers, but the role of behavioral research in policy domains is likely to grow in the coming years, especially in light of the mounting interest in promoting ease and simplification ("navigability"); in increasing effectiveness, economic growth, and competitiveness; and in providing low-cost, choice-preserving approaches.
authors.affiliation: Harvard Law School, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138; email: csunstei@law.harvard.edu.
authors.forename: Cass R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Sunstein
mesh_terms: D026683:Advisory Committees; D035841:Behavioral Research; D006801:Humans; D011584:Psychology
keywords: behavioral economics; default rules; nudge; social norms