Boosting (behavioral science)

Boosting is a behavioral science technique that aims to improve a person's ability to initiate and control their actions, and ability to make informed decisions.^[1] It is an intervention or strategy designed to enhance individuals' decision-making capabilities, cognitive skills, or behaviors by improving their competences.

Training in the ability to interpret statistical information, particularly Bayesian reasoning,^[2] as well as training the basic accounting heuristics and procedural routines.^[3] AI-powered boosting refers to the use of artificial intelligence tools and systems for boosting.^[4] Unlike manual boosting, which relies on human-delivered interventions, AI-powered boosting leverages automation of providing decision aids that guide humans to attend to the important information and integrate it according to a rational decision strategy.^[5]

Like nudging, boosting is a public policy based on behavioral science. Yet, not all public policy based on behavioral science evidence can be equated with nudging.^[6] Nudging works by shaping the external context to guide behavior, whereas boosting focuses on building internal capacities to enable better decision-making. Both approaches have their strengths and can be complementary.^[6]

In contrast to nudging, boosting is based on the premise that people can find their way around complex environments and make largely rational decisions despite their limited cognitive capacities.^[7] This can also be described as ecological rationality.