Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions
by: Dan Ariely
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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.
- 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.
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- Apt Title
It's tempting to think while reading this book: ivy league students are the subjects of his studies, of course the results are irrational!
This book has positive points -- it is great for anyone who loves behavioral economics or hasn't been introduced to it yet, because it discusses why we take the decisions we do.The author also seems to have some larger purpose in writing it, which is not true of similar books like Freakonomics.
Otherwise the criticisms are right -- ... Read More
Rating: 
- Why Science is Fun
Refreshing and irreverent, Ariely actually performs experiments that evaluate questions I've had for a long time, like, why do people prefer name brands, why free is not always free, the cost of social norms (why you don't pay your mother-in-law for cooking your dinner, the effect of cultural preference for uniformity vs. individuality, this book will interest you. Ariely's experiments are clever and simple, and quite fascinating. He has an interesting story to tell about his own life, as well. When ... Read More
Rating: - Engrossing
In my opinion, this book is not for academics--it's for average people who are interested in why humans act the way they do. If you're looking for something more highbrow, there are probably other books for you.
I was fascinated by the studies that demonstrate our irrationality. The author not only offers his explanation of why we act irrationally, but he also suggests ways to deal with our odd impulses (procrastination, grabbing anything labeled "free," etc.). I loved the book and plan ... Read More
Rating: - Amazingly illuminating!
Warning: this book is as difficult to put down as it is to forget! A fascinating read, _Predictably Irrational_ shows how we are not as rational in our decision-making and behaviors as we may think. As the author Dan Ariely points out "We are all pawns in a game whose forces we largely fail to comprehend" and are susceptible to a myriad of (often hidden) irrelevant contextual influences. The good news is that our errors in judgment are often systematic and predictable, and can be dramatically reduced ... Read More
Rating: 
- Important book but full of inexact/misinformed thinking
This book covers an important topic -- humans seem to make systematic and therefore predictable errors and Dan Ariely attempts to flesh out some of these types of errors.Most of this will be things you know intuitively but it's all VERY interesting -- I promise.
The book loses stars for the authors exceptionally poor understanding of economics.Ariely claims economics assumes all actors are perfectly rational -- simply not true.One chapter discusses problems of will power and saving ... Read More
- Apt TitleIt's tempting to think while reading this book: ivy league students are the subjects of his studies, of course the results are irrational!
This book has positive points -- it is great for anyone who loves behavioral economics or hasn't been introduced to it yet, because it discusses why we take the decisions we do.The author also seems to have some larger purpose in writing it, which is not true of similar books like Freakonomics.
Otherwise the criticisms are right -- ... Read More
- Why Science is FunRefreshing and irreverent, Ariely actually performs experiments that evaluate questions I've had for a long time, like, why do people prefer name brands, why free is not always free, the cost of social norms (why you don't pay your mother-in-law for cooking your dinner, the effect of cultural preference for uniformity vs. individuality, this book will interest you. Ariely's experiments are clever and simple, and quite fascinating. He has an interesting story to tell about his own life, as well. When ... Read More
- EngrossingIn my opinion, this book is not for academics--it's for average people who are interested in why humans act the way they do. If you're looking for something more highbrow, there are probably other books for you.
I was fascinated by the studies that demonstrate our irrationality. The author not only offers his explanation of why we act irrationally, but he also suggests ways to deal with our odd impulses (procrastination, grabbing anything labeled "free," etc.). I loved the book and plan ... Read More
- Amazingly illuminating!Warning: this book is as difficult to put down as it is to forget! A fascinating read, _Predictably Irrational_ shows how we are not as rational in our decision-making and behaviors as we may think. As the author Dan Ariely points out "We are all pawns in a game whose forces we largely fail to comprehend" and are susceptible to a myriad of (often hidden) irrelevant contextual influences. The good news is that our errors in judgment are often systematic and predictable, and can be dramatically reduced ... Read More
- Important book but full of inexact/misinformed thinkingThis book covers an important topic -- humans seem to make systematic and therefore predictable errors and Dan Ariely attempts to flesh out some of these types of errors.Most of this will be things you know intuitively but it's all VERY interesting -- I promise.
The book loses stars for the authors exceptionally poor understanding of economics.Ariely claims economics assumes all actors are perfectly rational -- simply not true.One chapter discusses problems of will power and saving ... Read More
