Introduction
Dan Ariely is a psychologist and behavioral economist, and one of the most influential academics currently working in his field. With three New York Times best-selling books and several highly-viewed TED talks to his name, he is known not only for his wide-ranging and incisive research but also for his accessible communication style and his sense of humor.
Ariely’s work, which spans many concepts from pain tolerance to financial decision making, has challenged some of the most basic assumptions of traditional economics, and shone a light on the systematic irrationalities of human behavior. His research has implications for individuals (How can we commit to healthier habits? How do we avoid irrational decision making?) as well as for society as a whole (How do we make work more fulfilling? How do we address wealth inequality?).
*The Decision Lab has collaborated with Dan Ariely in the past, when he served as an advisor for our work with the World Bank in Uganda. You can find out more about that project here.
I do believe that an improved understanding of the multiple irrational forces that influence us could be a useful first step toward making better decisions.
– Dan Ariely, The Upside of Irrationality: The Unexpected Benefits of Defying Logic at Work and at Home
