Transparency describes how openly an intervention is disclosed to the people affected by it, including whether they understand the nudge and have room to choose how to respond. In collaborative modeling, transparency helps distinguish reflection from covert influence and supports more ethical decision-making. section 7.3.3
A transparent Type II nudge informs people that an intervention is being applied and gives them time to consider whether they wish to respond. By contrast, nontransparent Type I nudges reduce awareness and may manipulate people. Transparency therefore concerns both awareness and the preservation of choice. section 7.3.3
Asking what could change someone’s mind
During a BigScreen session, Caelan’s confirmation bias made him seek evidence supporting his existing beliefs, causing others to hesitate. The facilitators asked what evidence could change his mind. This transparent Type II intervention prompted reflection and could either reopen dialogue or expose an unresolvable conflict. section 7.3.3
Figure 7.6 Nudges are organized based on their type and level of transparency. The figure highlights the significance of visually categorizing nudges into quadrants before application. For transparent type II nudges, individuals are informed and provided time to consider whether they wish to respond to the nudge. On the other hand, nudges that fall into the Type I, Nontransparent category are characterized by a lower awareness among people that nudges are being applied. These can potentially manipulate individuals, and the lower they are placed within this quadrant, the more unethical their use becomes. This framework serves as a guide for ethically applying nudges by understanding their effect on awareness and choice.
Use the transparency-and-type quadrant to classify a nudge before applying it. Transparent Type II interventions support informed reflection, while nontransparent Type I interventions require heightened ethical scrutiny because affected people may not realize they are being influenced. section 7.3.3
Transparency also supports inclusive decision documentation: ADRs, diagrams, asynchronous comments, and living documentation let absent stakeholders and experts inspect decisions, consequences, and later changes. section 11.7
