PhD defence Gitta van den Enden

Keywords: Decision-making, Well-being, Healthy choices, Self-perception

"Shaping Choices, Shaping Minds: How Choice Architecture, Societal Support and Competitiveness influence Decision-Making and Perceptions"

This dissertation explores how small changes in our surroundings and mindset can guide the choices we make and the way we see ourselves. It shows that when people face everyday decisions—such as choosing what to eat—subtle “nudges” in the environment can help them act more in line with their long-term goals. The research also finds that when people perceive societal support as useful, they are more likely to make healthy goal-consistent choices. Finally, the dissertation reveals that competitiveness positively influence people’s self-perception. Together, these insights shed light on how both context and psychology shape decisions and self-perceptions, offering practical ways to promote well-being in daily life.

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