Behavioral economics of the Covid-19 pandemic

  1. David Jimenez-Gomez 1
  2. José María Abellán Perpiñán 2
  1. 1 University of Alicante (España)
  2. 2 University of Murcia (España)
Revue:
Ekonomiaz: Revista vasca de economía

ISSN: 0213-3865

Année de publication: 2021

Titre de la publication: Covid-19. Efectos socioeconómicos de Ia crisis sanitaria y medidas de recuperación

Número: 100

Pages: 26-41

Type: Article

D'autres publications dans: Ekonomiaz: Revista vasca de economía

Résumé

We study the Covid-19 pandemic from the point of view of behavioral economics, which combines economics and psychology. We analyze the biases (for example, optimism bias) that may have had a greater impact on decision-making regarding the pandemic, as well as potential public health policies from a behavioral economics perspective. We contrast the use of «nudges» (non-coercive measures that do not use economic incentives) with legislative measures, and we advocate for a comprehensive approach that jointly uses the best interventions available, to generate healthy habits (that reduce the transmission of the virus). Finally, we apply this approach to the promotion of vaccination.

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