Does Awareness of Health Nudges Diminish the Effectiveness of a Proximity Health Intervention? [UNDER REVIEW]

Objective: Nudges have become a popular method to encourage healthy choices. With this popularity, media outlets have begun reporting about the use of nudges. Although public knowledge of nudge interventions is still limited, the increasing use of nudges by health professionals combined with the increasing media coverage suggests the public will become increasingly aware of nudges and may be able to identify nudges when they occur. This increase in awareness could lead to reduced effectiveness or backfire effects. Design: In this registered report we propose two novel studies to better understand how general awareness of nudges may impact the effectiveness of a subsequent proximity intervention to change health behavior. In Study 1, we will manipulate whether a person is given a proximity health intervention, if the participant learns about nudges, and whether the source is likable or not. In Study 2, participants will either learn about nudges from a trustworthy or untrustworthy source, and then be given a proximity health intervention. Results: To be determined. Conclusion: This set of studies could help researchers understand how increasing lay awareness of nudges may affect their specific interventions.