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

A fun read but beware the liberal bias

I really enjoyed this book. Several times as Dan Ariely was setting up the test parameters, I would think that he was missing a key piece, but then he would further develop the test and include my concern. I found it to be personally enlightening (and personally frustrating, but that's personal).

I have one complaint. Dan Ariely is obviously a liberal, and also obviously a fan of government run programs, like national healthcare. At one point in the book, Dan has demonstrated, through scientific study that people are irrational. He then, without any scientific information, claims that because we are irrational, we need national healthcare. He took no steps to back the claim that the government is inherently more rational than we mere individuals. This particular issue was very short (like a paragraph, or even a single sentence) but it has forced me, when recommending the book to others, to clarify that he is a liberal and is pushing an agenda outside of his scientific evidence or study.

Eye opening

An excellent presentation. The author has not only identified a very complicated set of human behavior patterns but explained them in terms anyone could understand.

Wonderful!

Very informative book, which I highly recommend to everyone.

Predictably good

I've always hated statistics, just not my thing. Going through college i realized how much it's actually used against us.

This book uses statistics but in a way that pulls you in. He makes statements, and then roll right into the study that BACKS UP what he is saying.

I found this book interesting the whole way through and a little humor here and there helped also.

Great start into how and why we do some of the things we do.

Fun and thoughtful

This book offered some entertaining and enlightening studies into how people behave. It is certainly light-hearted, and a pleasant read. In response to people who considered it a series of anecdotes: that it may be, but they have a useful theme. The results offer a way to improve your interpersonal relations and personal behavior by placing less trust in your rationality when presented with temptation.

Since the presentation is so biographical, I found it a little distracting knowing that the author was Israeli and the narrator British; it caused a minor disconnect. However, the reading is quite good.

Intriguing

Any additional comments?

This has been one of my favorite reads so far. It is obvious that he is very well studied, driven to the subject by his own tragic life experience. I read (listened) to this a while back, and I find myself referencing it on almost a weekly basis since I read it. Amazing book.

Enjoyable from beginning to End

The book is well written and equally well read. I enjoyed the numerous behavioral studies in nearly every chapter.

Read this book to learn how to get ahead

What did you love best about Predictably Irrational?

The studies were my favorite part. I loved all the information about how we will react when presented the same information in a different way.

Which scene was your favorite?

I enjoyed the studies about comparable the most

Any additional comments?

This book is very helpful for me in marketing my product. It helped me understand how to frame our products better. I would read this book again.

Fascinating studies and insights

This audio book presents a wealth of information about human nature. How we think we are rational. How our behavior, as demonstrated in a series of clever experiments is oh so predictably irrational.

The author and the reader do a great job of keeping the story engaging and fun. I will recommend this to my friends.

Great book

Loved it the rationalisation of how people think from research at top university's excellent work.