Policies to elicit pro-social behaviors

This thesis investigates strategies to elicit pro-social and pro-environmental behaviors, focusing on social norms, economic incentives, and gamification as mechanisms to influence waste management practices or tendency to cooperate. Through three studies, it examines the effects of (1) social norms, illusion of knowledge, and strategic ignorance on recycling behaviors; (2) the Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) waste collection system in Tuscan municipalities; and (3) gamification via the game “Prosperia” to foster prosocial actions. Results demonstrate how targeted policies, grounded in behavioral economics, psychology, and public policy, can effectively promote sustainable behaviors. Findings provide insights for policymakers on using diverse mechanisms to optimize environmental and social outcomes.