Incentives, or nudges, to get people to do things — like donate organs, lose weight, and pick up dog feces — are everywhere; some work better than others. Here are a few that various Flickr users have come across:
Is this encouraging fellowship or chaperoning?
Flickr user theritter thinks 5 cents is a little low for an incentive.
According to Flickr user nicolasnova, it says something like “Use the stairs to harden the butt.”
This one may help kids get better grades, but it will probably undo the effects of using the stairs.
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RE: the Ralph’s bag incentive:
The Israeli daycare example of ch. 1 of Freakonomics addresses this conundrum well. By Ralph’s putting such a small economic incentive in place it demotivates shoppers from potentially more potent social or moral incentives. How about an enthusiastic “thank you” for the shopper? How about some facts printed on the bag that helps the shopper understand the cost of waste? How about green candy at the register to give to children of parents who reuse bags, buy organic or local produce, or etc.?
By “green candy” I meant green coloured candy like Andes mints, apple- or lime-flavored sticks or suckers, taffy, fruit rolls or whatever. Small, easily administered economic incentive coupled with social incentives of children’s peer pressure on parents.
The McDonald’s add reminds me of Walter Mischel’s marshmallow test. The kids that are willing to work hard all year just to get a free burger would probably work hard anyway, because they are motivated by many other gains from a good education.
The kids that are not generally motivated by future income and job opportunities will probably not work harder for a future free burger.
The only one of the above that would motivate me, personally, is the franch stair promotion.
5 cents is a worthless incentive for a bag. a 5 cent penalty also seems worthless though, but I take my own bags always.
and @#1, McD’s isn’ t so much a luxury in low income neighborhoods, it tends to be the staple. Particularly in urban neighborhoods.
Will makes a good point. I’m guilty of it myself. I never forgot my re-usable bags when I had to pay 5c/bag at Zhers, but when Safeway gives me a discount for bringing my own bag, I usually don’t bother. Granted, Safeway’s discount is less than 5c last time I checked.
I’m a high school student in Seminole County (FL). Our leadership class met with the Public Relations Officer for the District regarding the McDonald’s controversy, and how it went everywhere – even Colbert.
Our report cards are not so endorsed, only those in elementary school, but it was quite an interesting story for sure. Long story short: McDonald’s got free advertising because they paid to print the report cards. Still an interesting take on incentivization.
@ Jim F – Seminole County is a school district in with one of the highest per-capita incomes (per family, [I know per-capita is by head, but work with me]) in the state of Florida. Although low-income students do attend SCPS, that rationale serves to be in the minority.
I’m fine with the McDonalds one-Pizza Hut did a similar thing with their Book It program way back whan. I’ll bet many books were read in pursuit of the personal pan pizza.