Optimal Default Options: The Case for Opt-Out Minimization

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Douglas Bernheim ◽  
Jonas Mueller Gastell
Keyword(s):  
Opt Out ◽  
Default Options

scholarly journals Default options: a powerful behavioral tool to increase COVID-19 contact tracing app acceptance in Latin America?

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Cynthia Boruchowicz ◽  
Florencia Lopez Boo ◽  
Benjamin Roseth ◽  
Luis Tejerina
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
The United States ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Phone Survey ◽  
Opt Out ◽  
Default Options ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
The Government ◽  
Financial Transactions ◽  
Shed Light

Abstract Given the rates of transmission of COVID-19, relying only on manual contact tracing might be infeasible to control the epidemic without sustained costly lockdowns or rapid vaccination efforts. In the first study of its kind in Latin America, we find through a phone survey of a nationally representative sample of ten countries that an opt-out regime (automatic installation) increases self-reported intention to accept a contact tracing app with exposure notification by 22 percentage points compared to an opt-in regime (voluntary installation). This effect is triple the size and of opposite sign of the effect found in Europe and the United States, potentially due to lower concerns regarding privacy and lower levels of interpersonal trust. We see that an opt-out regime is more effective in increasing willingness to accept for those who do not trust the government or do not use their smartphones for financial transactions. The local severity of the pandemic does not affect our results, but feeling personally at risk increases intent to accept such apps in general. These results can shed light on the use of default options not only for contact tracing apps but in public health overall in the context of a pandemic in Latin America.

Optimal Default Options: The Case for Opt-Out Minimization

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Douglas Bernheim ◽  
Jonas Mueller Gastell
Keyword(s):  
Opt Out ◽  
Default Options

scholarly journals The Welfare Economics of Default Options in 401(k) Plans

2015 ◽  
Vol 105 (9) ◽  
pp. 2798-2837 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Douglas Bernheim ◽  
Andrey Fradkin ◽  
Igor Popov
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Model ◽  
Welfare Economics ◽  
Welfare Effects ◽  
Pension Plans ◽  
Contribution Rate ◽  
Opt Out ◽  
Default Options

Default contribution rates for 401(k) pension plans powerfully influence choices. Potential causes include opt-out costs, procrastination, inattention, and psychological anchoring. Using realistically parameterized models, we show how the optimal default, the magnitude of the welfare effects, and the degree of normative ambiguity depend on the behavioral model, the scope of the choice domain deemed welfare-relevant, the use of penalties for passive choice, and other 401(k) plan features. While results are theory-specific, our analysis provides reasonably robust justifications for setting the default either at the highest contribution rate matched by the employer or—contrary to common wisdom—at zero. (JEL D14, D91, J26, J32)

Optimal Default Options: The Case for Opt-Out Minimization

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Douglas Bernheim ◽  
Jonas Mueller Gastell
Keyword(s):  
Opt Out ◽  
Default Options

Default Options: A Powerful Behavioral Tool to Increase COVID-19 Contact Tracing App Acceptance in Latin America?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia Boruchowicz ◽  
Florencia López Bóo ◽  
Benjamin Roseth ◽  
Luis Tejerina
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
Opposite Sign ◽  
The United States ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Opt Out ◽  
Default Options ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Financial Transactions ◽  
And Control ◽  
Shed Light

Being able to follow the chain of contagion of COVID-19 is important to help save lives and control the epidemic without sustained costly lockdowns. This is especially relevant in Latin America, where economic contractions have already been the largest in the regions history. Given the high rates of transmission of COVID-19, relying only in manual contact tracing might be infeasible. Acceptability and uptake of contact tracing apps with exposure notifications is key for the implementation the “test, trace and treat” triad. In the first study of its kind in Latin America, we find that for a nationally representative sample of 10 countries, an opt-out regime with automatic installation significantly increases the probability of acceptance of such apps in almost 22 p.p. compared to an opt-in regime with voluntary installation. This triples the size and is of opposite sign of the effect found in Europe and the United States. We see that an opt-out regime is more effective in increasing acceptability in South America compared to Central America and Mexico; for those who claim not to trust the national government; and for those who do not use their smartphones for financial transactions. The severity of the pandemic at the place of residence does not seem to affect the effectiveness of the opt-out regime versus an opt-in one, but feeling personally at risk does increase the willingness to accept contact tracing apps with exposure notifications in general. These results can shed light on the use of default options in public health in the context of a pandemic in Latin America.

scholarly journals The meaning of default options for potential organ donors

2012 ◽  
Vol 109 (38) ◽  
pp. 15201-15205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shai Davidai ◽  
Thomas Gilovich ◽  
Lee D. Ross
Keyword(s):  
Organ Donation ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Organ Donors ◽  
Policy Study ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Opt Out ◽  
Default Options ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Scaling Dimension ◽  
Made In

Rates of participation in organ donation programs are known to be powerfully influenced by the relevant default policy in effect (“opt-in” vs. “opt-out”). Three studies provide evidence that this difference in participation may occur in part because the requirement to opt-in or opt-out results in large differences in the meaning that individuals attach to participation. American participants in Study 1 rated participation as a significantly more substantial action when agreement was purportedly obtained under opt-in rather than opt-out conditions, and nonagreement as a greater abrogation of responsibility when that decision was made under opt-out rather than under opt-in conditions. Study 2 replicated these findings with respondents who live in Germany, which employs an opt-in donation policy, and in Austria, which has an opt-out policy. Study 3 required American participants to rate various actions that differ in the effort and self-sacrifice they demand. As predicted, the placement of organ donation on the resulting multidimensional scaling dimension differed significantly depending on whether it purportedly was made in an opt-in country (where it was considered roughly akin to giving away half of one’s wealth to charity upon one’s death) or an opt-out country (where it fell between letting others get ahead of one in line and volunteering some time to help the poor). We discuss the relationship between this change of meaning account and two other mechanisms—behavioral inertia and implicit norms—that we believe underlie the default effect in decision making and other effects of policies designed to influence decision-makers.

A Computerized Prescription Writing Program for Doctors

1985 ◽  
Vol 24 (02) ◽  
pp. 101-105
Author(s):  
C. S. Brown ◽  
S. I. Allen ◽  
D. C. Songco
Keyword(s):  
Medical Record ◽  
Drug Prescriptions ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Writing Program ◽  
Typing Skill ◽  
Drug Products ◽  
Default Options ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Prescription Writing ◽  
Drug Dosages

SummaryA computer-assisted system designed to write drug prescriptions and patient instructions has been in operation in a dermatologist’s office for two years. Almost all prescriptions are generated by the machine. Drug dosages, directions, and labeling phrases are retrieved from a diagnosis-oriented formulary of 300 drug products. A prescription template with preselected default options is displayed on a terminal screen where selection is made with the use of the video pointer. Typing skill is not required, as a detailed prescription can be produced from the use of only five function keys. Prescriptions and sets of relevant instructions for the patient are computer-printed. Therapy summaries for the medical record also are automatically composed and printed.

“Collective Redress” in European Competition Law

2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 388-414
Author(s):  
Alexandra P. Mikroulea
Keyword(s):  
Hybrid System ◽  
Competition Law ◽  
Mixed System ◽  
Basic Question ◽  
Effective Implementation ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Collective Redress ◽  
Opt Out ◽  
Private Autonomy ◽  
European Competition Law

AbstractOpt-in or opt-out? That is the basic question to be answered. The decision to promote actions of “opt-in” type as opposed to those of the “opt-out” type, for the sake of private autonomy, does not ensure the effective application of european competition law. On the contrary, it may decrease the application’s intensity and effectiveness. Recent reforms among European state members such as in the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway are powerful indications that the opt-out principle may result in the effective implementation of competition law. There is no doubt that a mixed system (hybrid system), providing the court with the power to decide in favour of either the opt-in or the opt-out system, will result in better implementation of competition law. At the present time there are two pending cases in England (Dorothy Gibson and Mastercard) for which the decision on opt-out or opt-in are highly anticipated. Should the court decide, in one or both of the cases, on an opt-out approach, this will bring a momentous reevaluation of the entire collective redress concept.

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