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How behavioural sciences can promote truth, autonomy and democratic discourse online

Author

Listed:
  • Philipp Lorenz-Spreen

    (Max Planck Institute for Human Development)

  • Stephan Lewandowsky

    (University of Bristol
    University of Western Australia)

  • Cass R. Sunstein

    (Harvard Law School)

  • Ralph Hertwig

    (Max Planck Institute for Human Development)

Abstract

Public opinion is shaped in significant part by online content, spread via social media and curated algorithmically. The current online ecosystem has been designed predominantly to capture user attention rather than to promote deliberate cognition and autonomous choice; information overload, finely tuned personalization and distorted social cues, in turn, pave the way for manipulation and the spread of false information. How can transparency and autonomy be promoted instead, thus fostering the positive potential of the web? Effective web governance informed by behavioural research is critically needed to empower individuals online. We identify technologically available yet largely untapped cues that can be harnessed to indicate the epistemic quality of online content, the factors underlying algorithmic decisions and the degree of consensus in online debates. We then map out two classes of behavioural interventions—nudging and boosting— that enlist these cues to redesign online environments for informed and autonomous choice.

Suggested Citation

  • Philipp Lorenz-Spreen & Stephan Lewandowsky & Cass R. Sunstein & Ralph Hertwig, 2020. "How behavioural sciences can promote truth, autonomy and democratic discourse online," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 4(11), pages 1102-1109, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nathum:v:4:y:2020:i:11:d:10.1038_s41562-020-0889-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41562-020-0889-7
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    10. Mills, Stuart, 2022. "Finding the ‘nudge’ in hypernudge," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    11. Gritsenko, Daria, 2024. "Advancing UN digital cooperation: Lessons from environmental policy and governance," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
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    13. Arora, Swapan Deep & Singh, Guninder Pal & Chakraborty, Anirban & Maity, Moutusy, 2022. "Polarization and social media: A systematic review and research agenda," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).
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    15. Iulia Maria COTOVANU TOADER, 2021. "Pandemic drive for synchronized smart political atmospheres," Smart Cities International Conference (SCIC) Proceedings, Smart-EDU Hub, Faculty of Public Administration, National University of Political Studies & Public Administration, vol. 9, pages 191-202, November.
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    17. Chuhan Wu & Fangzhao Wu & Lingjuan Lyu & Tao Qi & Yongfeng Huang & Xing Xie, 2022. "A federated graph neural network framework for privacy-preserving personalization," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
    18. Iulia-Maria COTOVANU TOADER, 2020. "The tale of two smart cities," Smart Cities International Conference (SCIC) Proceedings, Smart-EDU Hub, Faculty of Public Administration, National University of Political Studies & Public Administration, vol. 8, pages 195-214, November.
    19. Tobia Spampatti & Ulf J. J. Hahnel & Evelina Trutnevyte & Tobias Brosch, 2024. "Psychological inoculation strategies to fight climate disinformation across 12 countries," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 8(2), pages 380-398, February.
    20. Meir Russ, 2021. "Knowledge Management for Sustainable Development in the Era of Continuously Accelerating Technological Revolutions: A Framework and Models," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-32, March.
    21. Anastasia Kozyreva & Philipp Lorenz-Spreen & Ralph Hertwig & Stephan Lewandowsky & Stefan M. Herzog, 2021. "Public attitudes towards algorithmic personalization and use of personal data online: evidence from Germany, Great Britain, and the United States," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 8(1), pages 1-11, December.

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