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Do The Effects of Nudges Persist? Theory and Evidence from 38 Natural Field Experiments

Alec Brandon et al.

The Review of Economic Studies2026https://doi.org/10.1093/restud/rdag012article
FT50AJG 4*ABDC A*
Weight
0.50

Abstract

We formalize a research design to uncover the mechanisms underlying long-term reductions in energy consumption caused by a widely implemented nudge. We consider two channels: technology adoption and habit formation. Using data from 38 natural field experiments, we isolate the role of technology adoption by comparing treatment and control homes after the initial resident moves, which discontinues the treatment for a home. We find that fully half of energy reductions persist in the home after treatment ends and show this persistence is consonant with a technology adoption channel. The role of technology in creating persistent behaviour change has important implications for designing behavioural interventions and evaluating their long-term social impacts.

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https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1093/restud/rdag012

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@article{alec2026,
  title        = {{Do The Effects of Nudges Persist? Theory and Evidence from 38 Natural Field Experiments}},
  author       = {Alec Brandon et al.},
  journal      = {The Review of Economic Studies},
  year         = {2026},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1093/restud/rdag012},
}

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Do The Effects of Nudges Persist? Theory and Evidence from 38 Natural Field Experiments

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Evidence weight

0.50

Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40

F · citation impact0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20
M · momentum0.50 × 0.15 = 0.07
V · venue signal0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03
R · text relevance †0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20

† Text relevance is estimated at 0.50 on the detail page — for your query’s actual relevance score, open this paper from a search result.