Reason Defaults: Presenting Defaults With Reasons for Choosing Each Option Helps Decision Makers With Minority Interests

Abstract

Defaults are powerful tools for nudging individuals towards potentially beneficial options. However, defaults typically guide all decision-makers towards 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 dub this intervention a “reason default.” Reason defaults pre-select the option that is best for most individuals (like standard defaults), but also explain 1) why the default was selected and 2) 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 towards 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.

Keywords: defaults, choice architecture, heterogeneity, transparency, nudge