"Nudge" (Richard Thaler)

A "nudge," as described by Richard Thaler, is a small change in the way choices are presented that influences people's behavior without restricting their freedom to choose. For example, automatically enrolling employees in a retirement savings plan encourages saving without forcing participation, allowing them to opt out if they prefer. Nudges work by subtly guiding decisions through design, leveraging insights into human psychology to promote better outcomes—like healthier eating or saving more—while keeping individuals in control of their choices.