Default Effect

We stick with whatever option we are pre-assigned far more than we should — changing requires effort and implies responsibility for the outcome, so we stay put.

• Organ donation rates are above 90% in opt-out countries and around 15% in opt-in countries — the only difference is the default setting.
• Most employees stick with their employer's default retirement savings rate, even when increasing it would significantly benefit them.
• Software users almost never change default privacy settings — leaving their personal data far more exposed than they would choose if actively deciding.