Nudging vs. Budging – Users’ Acceptance of Nudging for More Physical Activity

Abstract

Life-logging devices do not only record data such as daily steps, distances traveled, or energy used. Instead these systems also offer ready-made analyses of recorded data. Furthermore, they enable to give the user information and recommendations (nudges) that predefined goals are within reach. While other studies have proven technical accuracy and positive health-related effects of life-logging, the use of such devices is still not wide-spread. The present study aims at examining acceptance of life-logging in general and nudging in particular. To do so, a questionnaire study was conducted (N = 190). It was found that active users and non-users of life-logging technologies differ in their evaluation of benefits and barriers of these technologies and their acceptance of nudging to increase their daily or weekly physical activity. Experienced life-logging users were significantly more positive in their evaluations than non-users who rather rejected future life-logging technology use. Finally, nudging was more accepted by already experienced life-logging users than by non-users. The study’s insights provide a deeper understanding of diverse users’ requirements and needs regarding life-logging technologies and enable to derive guidelines for user-specific life-logging technology development.