The transmission game: Testing behavioral interventions in a pandemic-like simulation

• DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abk0428
• Publication Date: 2022-02-25T19:00:32Z
• Authors: Jan K. Woike; Sebastian Hafenbrädl; Patricia Kanngiesser; Ralph Hertwig
• Keywords: Pandemic; Boosting

During pandemics, effective nonpharmaceutical interventions encourage people to adjust their behavior in fast-changing environments which exponential dynamics aggravate the conflict between individual benefits of risk-taking and its social costs. Policy-makers need know are most likely promote socially advantageous behaviors. We designed a tool for initial evaluations effectiveness large-scale interventions, transmission game framework, integrates simulations outbreak into large-group experiments with monetary stakes. In two studies (n = 700), we found substantial differences five behavioral interventions. A simple injunctive-norms message proved effective, followed by boosting participants' ability anticipate consequences risky behavior. Interventions featuring descriptive norms or concurrent risk information failed reduce risk-taking.