• Ridhima Shirodkar

Nudges may be understood as intentional manipulations done in the choice architecture that influence people to make certain choices over others in an automatic fashion (Lehner, Mont & Heiskanen, 2016). The following study intended to make use of nudges in a University building in order to increase staircase use as compared to the use of the lift. Studies indicate that there is a decrease in exercise level among individuals which in turn causes lifestyle illness. Further this sedentary lifestyle has been looked upon as a global challenge (Brymer & Davids, 2016). This study used a non-verbal pictorial cue to encourage individuals to use the staircase instead of the lift. Research suggested that placing signs which acted as nudges at the point of choice area; people were more likely to notice which in turn influenced behaviour (Nocon, Muller-Riemenschneider & Nitzschke, 2010). The following study did place the sign at the point of choice area keeping in mind previous study. Studies done in the past did show that interventions such as adding signs in the external environment did enhance exercise behaviour and in turn the well-being of people (Gorczynski, Faulkner, Cohn & Remington, 2013). However the present study was unable to show that the lift use decreased as compared to the stair use. However, differences were seen in the individuals who used the stairs for descend, yet these were not significant. Interestingly it was seen that a large number of people did observe the sign, changed their minds and chose the stairs; yet this number was not large enough. Further study is needed to understand the use of nudges in promoting healthy behavior.

Nudges, Point of Choice, Stair use, Mind change

"USING BEHAVIOUR NUDGES TO INCREASE THE USE OF STAIRS AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 6, page no.477-488, June-2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1908B61.pdf

"USING BEHAVIOUR NUDGES TO INCREASE THE USE OF STAIRS AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 6, page no. pp477-488, June-2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1908B61.pdf