Predictably Irrational

About Dan

I do research in behavioral economics and try to describe it in plain language.
These findings have enriched my life, and my hope is that they will do the same for
you.

My immersive introduction to irrationality took place many years ago while I was
overcoming injuries sustained in an explosion. The range of treatments in the burn
department, and particularly the daily “bath” made me face a variety of irrational
behaviors that were immensely painful and persistent. Upon leaving the hospital, I
wanted to understand how to better deliver painful and unavoidable treatments to
patients, so I began conducting research in this area.

I became engrossed with the idea that we repeatedly and predictably make the wrong
decisions in many aspects of our lives and that research could help change some of
these patterns.

Once I realized that understanding decision-making can help me live in a better way,
I started working on how to get all of us to use the same basic knowledge to improve
our daily life.

Dan Ariely is a professor of psychology and behavioral economics at
Duke University and a founding member of the Center for Advanced Hindsight.
He
is the author of the bestsellers Irrationally Yours, Payoff, The Upside of
Irrationality, The (Honest) Truth About Dishonesty, Dollars and Sense and Amazing
Decisions. He is also a co-creator of the movie Dishonesty and the card game
Irrational Game.

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