Predictably Irrational

The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions

By: Dan Ariely

Narrated by: Simon Jones

Why do our headaches persist after taking a one-cent aspirin but disappear when we take a 50-cent aspirin? Why does recalling the 10 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 25 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.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2008 Dan Ariely (P)2008 HarperCollins Publishers

An Examination of Our Irrational Decisions

What a fascinating book about our choices and the reasons we make the decisions we do. If you have ever wondered why you buy things you hadn't intended on-- this is a book for you. I am hoping that just being aware of the things I do that I can see are irrational will stop because I now have more insight. We will see.

An interesting and entertaining listen.

look at the rating statistics for this book

This book has maintained a high 4.25 rating with over a thousand ratings given to it thus far, so it is clearly the creme of the crop for this phsycho-economic genre. Audible ratings are hard to maintain over the long run unless this book is as outstanding as this one is. As far as the book itself this profesor and slightly mad man along with his cronies are big time ivy league practical jokesters. Half the experiments had me cracking up the way they are presented in this book. This guy is clever, really clever. Enjoy.

People are Funny

"Know thyself", (an inscription on the temple of Apollo). The human mind is incredible biologically but when you begin to study the way we convince ourselves of truth, it becomes mind-boggling. Understanding why we do certain things is a mystery to most of us. This book invites us to examine "the irrationality" of what we consider to be "clear thinking". Situations like the "come on ploys" of advertising to the excuses that we parden our own behavior with, the author examines and tests (statistically) the bad thinking or "not useful thinking" of himself and the people around him. Written with a touch of irony and good humor, this book examines its a humorous as well as the insidious dimensions of our everyday thinking.

F-ing Awesome. I love this book

The material covered in this peace is absolutely outstanding, astounding, and earth shattering.

I'm an avid listener to self-development books and I've got an extensive library. this authors extensive detail, outside the box thought process, and overarching wherewithal is spellbinding. I can wait to listen to it again.

I sent so many audio clips to my friends too. seriously, if you get the chance - listen, you won't be disappointed.

love this book

interesting psychology.
useful to my online business price setting.
inspiring.

really interesting

I liked the book a lot. Made me think. I might have interpreted some results a little differently here or there -- but so what. still compelling. I was not a fan of the narrator's accent -- but that is a nit.

Very Enjoyable

Very enjoyable pop psychology, with special interest to anybody who sets the price of good or services. Narrator is enjoyable to listen to and the studies performed were very intriguing. Would buy again.

Fascinating

This books provides a base of interesting scientific studies that help us understand the motivation behind our behaviors, our thoughts and therefore to be able to predict our ways of being in determinated circumstances. In terms of human behavior, this is a must read, along with the book "The elephant in the brain" by Robin Hanson and Kevin Simler.

I will definitely read them again, there's plenty on what to learn from here. Thanks to the author for such an engaging book!

Important topics. Great production.

Loved the material. Performance was a pleasure to listen to. The online material provided good additional insights.

Great insight

This has been really helpful in understanding one of my weaknesses in sales. I am too eager to give a dis out and this diminishes the value of my product and my service.