How do people understand and evaluate economic policy?

At the Harvard University Social Economics Lab, Professor S. and her research team examine how individuals perceive and respond to economic policy.

Rather than relying solely on traditional macroeconomic or econometric models, the Lab conducts large-scale surveys and controlled experiments to analyze people’s beliefs and attitudes.

The research explores public views on health insurance, trade tariffs, and climate policy, demonstrating how different forms of information presentation can significantly influence policy support. As information changes, attitudes often shift, underscoring the importance of framing and explanation.

The findings demonstrate that economic policy is filtered through prior beliefs and perceptions, carrying direct implications for policy design and communication.