Consumer Opinions Regarding Food Promotion Strategies

Abstract

This research examined the public’s reaction towards different types of environmental manipulations designed to increase the public’s healthy eating behaviour in a predictable way (known as healthy eating nudges). While System 1 nudges are usually considered more effective by scholars, System 2 nudges are usually found to have greater approval ratings amongst the general public (Sunstein; 2016; Cadario & Chandon, 2020; Willis, 2013). However, this work found that by providing individuals with scientific evidence that suggests that environmental influences outside of one’s control influence one’s decisions to a greater extent than one realizes (i.e., increasing belief in scientific determinism), participant’s saw System 1 nudging as significantly more effective than the control group. This finding has practical implications for managers looking to increase public approval of more effective System 1 (vs. System 2) nudges, in order to increase healthy eating behaviour in cafeteria settings.