Planet Money – Did two honesty researchers fabricate their data?

Intro

In this episode of the “Planet Money” podcast, the hosts delve into a scandal surrounding two renowned behavioral economists, Dan Ariely and Francesca Gino. These researchers popularized the concept of Nudge Theory, which aims to influence behavior through subtle changes. However, it has come to light that their influential study on honesty and behavioral nudges was based on fabricated data. The podcast explores the implications of this scandal and its impact on the field of behavioral science.

Main Takeaways

Nudge Theory and Honesty Research

• The concept of the Nudge, derived from behavioral economics, involves making small changes to people’s behavior by understanding their psychology.
• Dan Ariely, a famous behavioral economist, conducted research on increasing honesty, including experiments with recalling the 10 commandments and signing forms at the top.
• Francesca Gino, another behavioral scientist, collaborated with Ariely on the form signing research.

The Scandal and Fabricated Data

• The sign-at-the-top idea, popularized by Ariely and Gino, was a powerful nudge but was based on fabricated data.
• Yuri Simonson, a behavioral scientist, discovered inconsistencies in the car insurance experiment data from the sign-at-the-top research.
• The data in the car insurance experiment was generated using the spreadsheet command “rand between” and did not reflect real-world patterns.
• The authors of the paper were given an opportunity to respond, with Ariely blaming the insurance company for the fake data.
• Francesca Gino’s work also faced investigation for potential data manipulation, with changes made to strengthen the findings on signing at the top of a form.

Implications and Repercussions

• The scandal raises questions about the credibility of Ariely and Gino’s work, casting doubt on the effectiveness of powerful nudges.
• Three additional experiments conducted by Gino have also been identified as potentially fraudulent.
• The insurance company involved in Ariely’s study confirmed that the data was manipulated and supplemented with fabricated data.
• The scandal has wider implications for the field of behavioral science, as it undermines trust and creates uncertainty around interventions and research findings.
• Time and resources could have been better utilized on alternative interventions with higher chances of success.

Summary

Nudge Theory and Honesty Research

The podcast begins by introducing the concept of Nudge Theory, which involves making subtle changes to influence people’s behavior. Dan Ariely, a renowned behavioral economist, conducted research on increasing honesty, including experiments with recalling the 10 commandments and signing forms at the top. Collaborating with Ariely, Francesca Gino contributed to the form signing research, popularizing the idea of the sign-at-the-top nudge.

The Scandal and Fabricated Data

The podcast then delves into the scandal surrounding Ariely and Gino’s influential study on honesty and behavioral nudges. Yuri Simonson, a behavioral scientist, discovered inconsistencies in the car insurance experiment data from the sign-at-the-top research. It was revealed that the data had been fabricated using the spreadsheet command “rand between,” deviating from real-world patterns. The authors of the paper were given a chance to respond, with Ariely blaming the insurance company for the fake data. Additionally, Gino’s work faced investigation for potential data manipulation, with changes made to strengthen the findings on signing at the top of a form.

Implications and Repercussions

The scandal has significant implications for the field of behavioral science. It raises doubts about the credibility of Ariely and Gino’s work, particularly their influential findings on powerful nudges. Three more experiments conducted by Gino have also been identified as potentially fraudulent. The insurance company involved in Ariely’s study confirmed the inappropriate manipulation and supplementation of data. This scandal erodes trust, creates uncertainty around interventions, and highlights the need for more rigorous research practices in the field.

Conclusion

The scandal surrounding the fabricated data in the studies of Dan Ariely and Francesca Gino has shaken the field of behavioral science. It raises questions about the effectiveness of powerful nudges and the credibility of influential researchers. The repercussions of this scandal extend beyond academia, impacting real-world applications and interventions. Moving forward, it is crucial for the field to address these issues, reinforce research integrity, and rebuild trust in behavioral science.