Priming in Behavioral Public Administration: Methodological and Practical Considerations for Research and Scholarship

ABSTRACT: Despite its ubiquity in psychology and behavioral economics, and its utility in the assessment of cognitive processes, decisions, behavior, and actions, priming as a technique embedded in experimental designs is novel in behavioral public administration. And there is no clear guidance on how it should be done. We address this gap. Based on an illustrative study involving the priming of three institutional logics among public and private sector workers, and on a supplemental review of the literature, we present a synopsis of the theoretical underpinnings of priming research, and highlight methodological and practical considerations for experimental research using priming techniques. We additionally provide guidance for subsequent research and scholarship, and foreground the development of a methodology for conducting high-quality experimental research using priming techniques.