World Famous Comics: Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions
Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions
By: Dan Ariely Publisher: HarperCollins Average Rating: Binding: Hardcover Format: Roughcut Label: HarperCollins Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 304 Publication Date: February 19, 2008 Release Date: February 19, 2008
Why do our headaches persist after taking a one-cent aspirin but disappear when we take a 50-cent aspirin?
Why does recalling the Ten Commandments reduce our tendency to lie, even when we couldn't possibly be caught?
Why do we splurge on a lavish meal but cut coupons to save twenty-five cents on a can of soup?
Why do we go back for second helpings at the unlimited buffet, even when our stomachs are already full?
And how did we ever start spending $4.15 on a cup of coffee when, just a few years ago, we used to pay less than a dollar?
When it comes to making decisions in our lives, we think we're in control. We think we're making smart, rational choices. But are we?
In a series of illuminating, often surprising experiments, MIT behavioral economist Dan Ariely refutes the common assumption that we behave in fundamentally rational ways. Blending everyday experience with groundbreaking research, Ariely explains how expectations, emotions, social norms, and other invisible, seemingly illogical forces skew our reasoning abilities.
Not only do we make astonishingly simple mistakes every day, but we make the same types of mistakes, Ariely discovers. We consistently overpay, underestimate, and procrastinate. We fail to understand the profound effects of our emotions on what we want, and we overvalue what we already own. Yet these misguided behaviors are neither random nor senseless. They're systematic and predictable—making us predictably irrational.
From drinking coffee to losing weight, from buying a car to choosing a romantic partner, Ariely explains how to break through these systematic patterns of thought to make better decisions. Predictably Irrational will change the way we interact with the world—one small decision at a time.
An easy, entertaining and thought provoking read I really enjoyed reading this book (which is a big plus to start with - after all a book should at the very least achieve this goal right?). I found the research examples thought provoking, they caused me to consciously examine some of my decisions and decisions of those around me and it gave a new perspective in a lot of cases.
Definitely a recommended read - great job Dan (and all those who contributed to this book).
Real Research, Real Growth, Real Change I love New Age psychology as much as the next guy - The Secret, The Power of Attraction, The Power of Now - it's all good to me.
But as appealing as it can be to believe in the mystic, it's nice to remember that we live in the real world, too. Predictably Irrational isn't the product of magical thinking - it's based on real research, careful psychological testing that reveals that we're prone to making the same kinds of illogical but all-too-human mistakes.
Did you ever buy an item that you knew you didn't want, and yet you didn't return it? Have you over-scheduled yourself to the point where you can't do anything well, yet you're reluctant to cut anything out? Have you ever had sex with someone who, in the cold, cool light of the morning, you really regretted bedding?
Predictably Irrational will show you that you're not alone. But this isn't just a case of misery loving company. By explaining the real motivations behind these self-defeating behaviors, Predictably Irrational empowers you to alter them. With understanding comes, if not the promise, at least the opportunity to change.
If this sounds heavy, it's not. This book is written in an extremely accessible and even entertaining prose. Every chapter asks an interesting question - how will people behave when faced with an opportunity to be irrational? Do they make the "right" choice or the one that feels right? Some of these experiments will truly amaze you.
If you want to understand yourself and others in a brighter and more useful light, read Predictably Irrational. It's not magic - it's better. Science is our friend and the science of the mind is an endlessly fascinating subject.
Free gift card for reading this review This is a wonderfully provocative work. Most of us insist that we are making logical decisions most of the time, and carefully weighing the options before making a choice or coming to a conclusion. Dan Ariely and his colleagues prove us all wrong! We are very susceptible to subtle messages that point us toward a direction which has more to do with how we humans are wired rather than to any logical choice. This is must reading for all of us "rational thinkers". Would you like a free upgrade with this?
Pridicatably irational Compulsary reading for anyone in business,retail, or marketing or anyone who is a consumer! An enlightening book which points out the idiosyncracies of our purchasing decisions.
Thought-provoking I found the experiments fascinating.. Especially the Brad Pitt vs. George Clooney vs. Altered George Clooney experiment. Intriguing.
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