Behavioral nuggets are small, actionable pieces of advice or insights that help people change their behavior or habits in a positive way.

Scarcity

We value things more when they’re in limited supply.

Example: “Only 2 seats left at this price!” on airline websites, or “Limited time offer” promotions.

Prospect Theory

A loss hurts more than an equal gain feels good.

Example: Losing $100 feels more painful than finding $100 feels good. This is why people often prefer a sure $50 over a 50% chance of winning $100.

Framing

We make very different decisions based on how a fact is presented.

Example: “90% fat-free” vs “10% fat” - the same information presented differently can lead to different choices.

Self-Expression

We constantly seek out ways to communicate our identity to others.

Example: People choosing specific brands of clothing, phones, or cars to signal their values or social status.

Priming

Our decisions are shaped by memories recalled from things just seen or heard.

Example: After seeing words related to elderly people, we unconsciously walk slower. Or after seeing luxury items, we might spend more money.

Autonomy Bias

We have a deep-seated need to control our situations.

Example: People prefer customizable products (like build-your-own pizzas) even if they end up choosing the same options.

Status Quo Bias

We tend to stick with our previous choices, even if the alternatives might be better.

Example: Staying with the same phone carrier or insurance provider even when better deals are available.

Round Pricing Preference

We prefer and trust whole numbers over those ending in a 9.

Example: $20 feels more trustworthy than $19.99, even though the difference is minimal.

Center-Stage Effect

We prefer the middle option in a horizontal set of choices.

Example: When presented with three subscription tiers (Basic, Pro, Enterprise), most people choose the middle “Pro” option.

Friction

We’re less likely to complete a task with each step added.

Example: The more clicks required to complete an online purchase, the more likely people are to abandon their cart.

Boundary Pricing

We’re more likely to upgrade if the base price feels closer.

Example: When a basic plan is $9.99 and premium is $14.99, people are more likely to upgrade than if the premium was $19.99.

Afterlife Effect

We recycle more when shown what the product will become.

Example: Showing how plastic bottles can be transformed into clothing increases recycling rates.

Zeigarnik Effect

Incomplete tasks weigh on our minds until done.

Example: Netflix’s “Next Episode” autoplay feature keeps us watching because we want to complete the story.

Time Scarcity

We’re more likely to act if the clock is ticking.

Example: “Flash sales” with countdown timers create urgency and increase purchases.

Surprise Effect

We respond well to positive, unexpected, personal gestures.

Example: A hotel leaving a personalized note and small gift in your room creates lasting positive memories.

Storyteller Bias

We’re more persuaded by and better recall those who tell stories.

Example: Customer testimonials with personal stories are more convincing than statistics alone.

Spacing Effect

We remember things better when repeated over time and across environments.

Example: Learning a language through daily short lessons is more effective than cramming.

Segregation Effect

Positive experiences feel better overall when we spread them out.

Example: Getting three small raises over a year feels better than one large raise.

Rhyme As Reason Effect

Rhyming statements that you hear, they are seen as more sincere.

Example: “A stitch in time saves nine” feels more credible than “Fix things early to prevent bigger problems.”

Reciprocity Decay

Our desire to give back wanes rapidly with time.

Example: If someone does you a favor, you’re more likely to return it immediately than after a long delay.

Product-Person Bias

We look for and value human connections in our products.

Example: People prefer products with human-like features or names (like Siri or Alexa).

Picture Superiority Effect

We remember images far better than words.

Example: Social media posts with images get more engagement than text-only posts.

Odor Priming

We’ll pay more when we smell something nice.

Example: Bakeries pumping out fresh bread smells to increase sales in nearby stores.

Metaphorical Shortcut

New or complex ideas are easier understood through existing ones.

Example: “The brain is like a computer” helps people understand complex neurological concepts.

Limited Choice

We’re more likely to decide when the options are sensibly restricted.

Example: A restaurant with 6 main dishes is more likely to get orders than one with 20 options.

IKEA Effect

We’ll pay disproportionately more for something we helped create.

Example: Build-your-own furniture or custom-designed products feel more valuable.

Hedonic Adaptation

We feel less joy for a gain and discomfort for a loss goes by.

Example: The excitement of a new car wears off after a few months, returning to baseline happiness.

Goal Priming

When we’re reminded of our aims, we’re more motivated to reach them.

Example: Vision boards or daily reminders of your goals increase motivation.

Fresh Start Effect

We’re more likely to stick to habits made at the start of new time periods.

Example: New Year’s resolutions or starting a diet on Monday rather than Wednesday.

Fluency Shortcut

Statements that are easier to understand are more believable.

Example: Simple, clear explanations are more persuasive than complex ones.

Entourage Effect

Our status is elevated when we share our VIP treatment.

Example: People posting about exclusive access or special treatment on social media.

Endowed Progress Effect

We reach our goals faster when we have help getting started.

Example: Loyalty cards that come pre-stamped with some points to get you started.

Devil Effect

Our perception of a single negative attribute unfairly bleeds into other unrelated areas.

Example: A person’s poor punctuality might lead others to question their overall competence.

Decoy Effect

We’re more likely to buy B over A by adding C to make B look more attractive.

Example: Adding a third, less attractive option to make the middle option seem like the best value.

Contrast Effect

We better remember products that stand out from their surroundings.

Example: A bright red car in a parking lot of white cars is more memorable.

Competition

We strive with and against one another for limited resources and status.

Example: Leaderboards in fitness apps or games increase engagement.

Collection Bias

We have an emotional need to amass sets of related items.

Example: Collecting all items in a series or completing sets of trading cards.

Choice-Supportive Bias

We recall more of the positives of our choices over any negatives.

Example: After buying a car, we focus on its good features and downplay its drawbacks.

Biophilia Effect

We’re drawn to living things and become stressed if too detached from them.

Example: Office plants or nature views improve workplace satisfaction.

Authority

We have a strong tendency to comply with those in charge.

Example: People following doctor’s advice more than health tips from friends.

Aggregation Effect

Negative experiences feel less painful overall when they’re bundled together.

Example: Getting all bad news at once rather than spread out over time.

Social Proof

We copy the behaviors of others, especially in unfamiliar situations.

Example: Looking at reviews or seeing what others ordered in a restaurant.

Reciprocity

We’re hardwired to return kindness received.

Example: Feeling obligated to buy something after receiving a free sample.

Loss Aversion

We feel more negative when losing something than positive when we gain it.

Example: The pain of losing $100 is stronger than the pleasure of finding $100.

Default Effect

We tend to accept the options pre-chosen for us.

Example: Most people stick with default settings on their devices.

Anchoring

What we see first affects our judgment of everything thereafter.

Example: The first price you see for a product influences how you value it.

Fast & Slow Thinking

We make knee-jerk spontaneous decisions that can cause regretful damage.

Example: Impulse buying or sending angry emails without thinking.

Dynamic Norms

We’re more likely to change if we can see a new behavior developing.

Example: Seeing increasing numbers of people using reusable bags encourages others to do the same.

Salience

Our choices are determined by the information we’re shown.

Example: Products placed at eye level in stores sell better than those on lower shelves.

Measurement Paradox

We enjoy experiences less when we track them.

Example: Counting calories can make eating less enjoyable.

In-Group Bias

We tend to favor our group over others.

Example: Supporting your local sports team even when they’re not playing well.

If-Then Plans

If in this scenario, we then plan to do that, we’ll more likely to reach our goals.

Example: “If it’s Monday morning, then I’ll go to the gym” is more effective than just “I should exercise more.”

Availability Bias

Our judgments are heavily influenced by what comes to mind more easily.

Example: Overestimating the risk of plane crashes after seeing news about one.

Analysis Paralysis

Our capacity to process information and make decisions reduces with each made.

Example: Spending hours comparing products online without making a purchase.

Zero Price Bias

We value something more when free over very cheap.

Example: People prefer a free $10 gift card over paying $1 for a $11 gift card.

Tiny Habits

We’re more likely to reach goals when broken down into smaller ones.

Example: Starting with “one push-up” instead of “exercise for an hour.”

Temptation Bundling

We’re more likely to do the hard stuff when coupled with the pleasant.

Example: Only allowing yourself to watch your favorite show while exercising.

Sunk Cost Bias

We’re unable to let go of our past bad investments, even if it makes sense to do so.

Example: Continuing to watch a bad movie because you’ve already invested time in it.

Status

We constantly look for ways to improve how others see us.

Example: Buying luxury brands or posting achievements on social media.

Serial Position Effect

We better remember the first and last items in a list.

Example: Remembering the first and last items on a shopping list better than the middle ones.

Risk Aversion

We don’t like uncertainty and generally stick to what we know.

Example: Keeping money in a low-interest savings account instead of investing.

Rewards

We change our behavior when given gifts that reinforce actions and goals.

Example: Getting points or badges for completing tasks in apps.

Reactance

We’ll do the opposite from what we’re asked if we’re pushed too hard.

Example: Teenagers rebelling against strict rules.

Present Bias

What we want now is often the opposite of what we aspire to in the future.

Example: Choosing to watch TV instead of studying for future success.

Peak-End Rule

We remember and judge an experience by its peaks and how it ended.

Example: A vacation might be remembered fondly if it ended well, even if there were problems earlier.

Nostalgia Effect

Thinking about the past makes us want to spend more now.

Example: Retro products or “throwback” marketing campaigns.

Mere Exposure Effect

We like things more as they become more familiar to us.

Example: Songs growing on you after hearing them multiple times.

Limited Access

We place greater value in things when there are barriers placed around them.

Example: Exclusive clubs or members-only content.

Humor Effect

We’re more motivated by and remember things that make us laugh.

Example: Funny advertisements or memes being more memorable.

Halo Effect

We incorrectly transfer judgments of known attributes onto other unrelated or unknown ones.

Example: Assuming an attractive person is also intelligent or kind.

Goal Gradient Effect

Our efforts increase the closer we are to task completion.

Example: Running faster at the end of a race.

Foot In The Door

Making a small commitment now makes us more likely to agree to a greater one later.

Example: Getting people to sign a petition before asking for donations.

Feedback Loops

We look for information that provides clarity on our actions.

Example: Progress bars or achievement notifications in apps.

Ownership Bias

We value things more when we feel we own them.

Example: Free trials that make you feel like you own the product.

Door In The Face

We’re more likely to agree to a small request after first rejecting a larger one.

Example: Asking for a large donation first, then settling for a smaller one.

Delay Discounting

We choose smaller, more immediate rewards over greater ones that we need to wait for.

Example: Taking $50 now instead of $100 in a year.

Curiosity Effect

We’re driven to seek missing info that closes our knowledge gap.

Example: Clickbait headlines or cliffhangers in TV shows.

Confirmation Bias

We look for information that supports our existing beliefs and ignore what doesn’t.

Example: Only reading news sources that align with our political views.

Commitment

Once we’ve made a public statement we make consistent decisions to support it.

Example: Announcing your goals on social media to stay accountable.

Chunking

We process information better when it’s broken down into smaller, more manageable parts.

Example: Breaking down phone numbers into groups of 3-4 digits.