Reason Defaults: Presenting Defaults With Reasons for Choosing Each Option Helps Decision-Makers With Minority Interests
研究提出“理由默认”干预，即在默认选项中解释为何选择该选项以及谁应选择替代选项，帮助多数人受益的同时让少数利益者做出更优选择。
Defaults are powerful tools for nudging individuals toward potentially beneficial options. However, defaults typically guide all decision-makers toward the same option and, consequently, may misguide individuals with minority interests. We test whether presenting defaults with information about heterogeneity can help individuals with minority interests select alternative options, and we dub this intervention a “reason default.” Reason defaults preselect the option that is best for most individuals (like standard defaults) but also explain (a) why the default was selected and (b) who should opt for an alternative. In five preregistered studies using online convenience samples of adults ( N = 4,210), we find that reason defaults can improve decision-makers’ outcomes over standard defaults and forced choices by guiding most individuals toward the default option while helping individuals with minority interests select an alternative. Further, participants reported that reason defaults enhance transparency, decision ease, and understanding of the choice relative to standard defaults and forced choices.