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Digital Nudges and Student Spending: A Qualitative Analysis of How Student Discount Apps Influence Purchasing behaviour

Dahlén, Magnus Gösta Jonas LU (2025) EOSK12 20251
Department of Economic History
Abstract
This thesis explores how Lund University students perceive and respond to behavioural nudges in the Mecenat discount app. Using a mixed-methods approach it examines the influence of persuasive design features linked to present bias and loss aversion. While few students reported acting impulsively, many believed the app encourages such behaviour, revealing a perception gap between stated control and described actions. Interviewees often rationalised spontaneous purchases triggered by urgency cues, highlighting a disconnect between awareness and behaviour. These findings contribute to debates on ethical design and user autonomy by showing that even digitally literate users may underestimate the subtle influence of nudging.
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author
Dahlén, Magnus Gösta Jonas LU
supervisor
organization
course
EOSK12 20251
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
Behavioural Economics, Student Spending, Digital Nudging, Present Bias, Loss Aversion, Impulsive Spending, Self Awareness Gap
language
English
id
9196630
date added to LUP
2025-06-16 11:42:38
date last changed
2025-06-16 11:42:38
@misc{9196630,
  abstract     = {{This thesis explores how Lund University students perceive and respond to behavioural nudges in the Mecenat discount app. Using a mixed-methods approach it examines the influence of persuasive design features linked to present bias and loss aversion. While few students reported acting impulsively, many believed the app encourages such behaviour, revealing a perception gap between stated control and described actions. Interviewees often rationalised spontaneous purchases triggered by urgency cues, highlighting a disconnect between awareness and behaviour. These findings contribute to debates on ethical design and user autonomy by showing that even digitally literate users may underestimate the subtle influence of nudging.}},
  author       = {{Dahlén, Magnus Gösta Jonas}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Digital Nudges and Student Spending: A Qualitative Analysis of How Student Discount Apps Influence Purchasing behaviour}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}