Abstract

In this study, we analyze the interaction between smartphones and their users as contingencies of reinforcement underpinning social behavior. We posit the introduction of a nudge: an environmental intervention meant to guide behavior that can be easily avoided in a social context. Our experiment takes us to an Italian pub with the hypothesis that a simple environmental factor (a basket featuring a social cue) will contribute to a reduction in digital social interactions in favor of physical social interactions. Data were collected employing a momentary time sampling where we recorded an increase in estimated time with no smartphone interactions and a decrease in estimated time with all the customers seated at one table using their smartphones in the experimental condition. These results were significant and suggest that the nudge was effective at reducing smartphone use among the patrons. Moreover, the estimates of these digital interactions were shorter for the statistical unit when compared to the control. Together, the results of study demonstrate that a nudge can reduce smartphone use in contexts of social interaction. However, it may be difficult to sustain alternative behavior without providing consequences that reinforce its future occurrences.

摘要

在这项研究中，我们分析了智能手机及其用户之间的互动，这些互动是支持社交行为的强化事件。我们假定引入微调：一种环境干预，旨在指导在社会环境中可以轻松避免的行为。我们的实验将我们带到一家意大利酒吧，假设一个简单的环境因素（带有社交提示的篮子）将有助于减少数字社交互动，而有利于身体社交互动。使用瞬时时间采样来收集数据，在这种情况下，我们记录了在没有智能手机互动的情况下估计时间的增加，以及在实验条件下使用智能手机将所有客户坐在一张桌子的情况下估计时间的减少的情况。这些结果是有意义的，表明微调在减少顾客中使用智能手机方面是有效的。此外，与对照组相比，统计单位对这些数字交互的估计要短一些。总之，研究结果表明，在社交互动中，轻推可以减少智能手机的使用。但是，可能难以维持替代行为，而又不提供会加剧其未来事件的后果。