Using Behavioral Science Insights To Better Serve the American People
Agencies Ordered to Use Behavioral Science to Improve Programs
What it does
Agencies must identify and test behavioral science approaches to improve program participation, information, choice design, and incentives.
Real-world impact
- Streamlines access to public programs by simplifying forms and reducing wait times.
- Changes how agencies present information to improve comprehension and action.
- Encourages using choice design and defaults to boost desired public outcomes.
Topics
Summary
This order directs federal agencies to use behavioral science: identify where it can help, test solutions, recruit experts, and work with researchers.
Agencies must streamline access to programs, simplify information, design better choices (including defaults), and review incentives and timing to encourage beneficial actions.
The goal is to make government more effective and efficient, deliver better results at lower cost, and support priorities like jobs, health, education, and a low-carbon economy.
Questions, answered
Ask questions about this executive order and its implications. Try:
- “What agencies are affected by this order?”
- “How does this order change existing policy?”
- “What are the practical implications of this order?”