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Cass R. Sunstein, Conspiracy Theory, 46 Behav. & Brain Sci. (2023).


Abstract: Chater & Loewenstein, superb and distinguished social scientists, have misfired. Their complaint is baseless: In the real world of policymaking, behavioral science is mostly being used to reform systems, not to alter individual behavior. Nor is there empirical support for the proposition that interventions aimed at helping individuals make systemic reform less likely. Chater & Loewenstein (C&L), superb and distinguished social scientists, have misfired. In the real world of policymaking, behavioral science is mostly being used to reform systems, not to alter individual behavior. Nor is there empirical support for the proposition that interventions aimed at helping individuals make systemic reform less likely. Some conspiracy theories are true, but theirs is groundless.