A Taste of Irrationality - Dr. Dan Ariely

A Taste of Irrationality

By Dr. Dan Ariely

  • Release Date: 2010-07-28
  • Genre: Marketing & Sales
Score: 4
4
From 353 Ratings

Description

Sample chapters from Predictably Irrational and Upside of Irrationality.

Predictably Irrational

Why do our headaches persist after we take a one-cent aspirin but disappear when we take a fifty-cent aspirin?

Why do we splurge on a lavish meal but cut coupons to save twenty-five cents on a can of soup?

When it comes to making decisions in our lives, we think we're making smart, rational choices. But are we?

In this newly revised and expanded edition of the groundbreaking New York Times bestseller, Dan Ariely refutes the common assumption that we behave in fundamentally rational ways. From drinking coffee to losing weight, from buying a car to choosing a romantic partner, we consistently overpay, underestimate, and procrastinate. Yet these misguided behaviors are neither random nor senseless. They're systematic and predictable—making us predictably irrational.

Upside of Irrationality

The provocative follow-up to the New York Times bestseller Predictably Irrational
Why can large bonuses make CEOs less productive? How can confusing directions actually help us? Why is revenge so important to us? Why is there such a big difference between what we think will make us happy and what really makes us happy?
In his groundbreaking book Predictably Irrational, social scientist Dan Ariely revealed the multiple biases that lead us into making unwise decisions. Now, in The Upside of Irrationality, he exposes the surprising negative and positive effects irrationality can have on our lives. Focusing on our behaviors at work and in relationships, he offers new insights and eye-opening truths about what really motivates us on the job, how one unwise action can become a long-term habit, how we learn to love the ones we're with, and more.

Drawing on the same experimental methods that made Predictably Irrational one of the most talked-about bestsellers of the past few years, Ariely uses data from his own original and entertaining experiments to draw arresting conclusions about how—and why—we behave the way we do. From our office attitudes, to our romantic relationships, to our search for purpose in life, Ariely explains how to break through our negative patterns of thought and behavior to make better decisions. The Upside of Irrationality will change the way we see ourselves at work and at home—and cast our irrational behaviors in a more nuanced light.

Reviews

  • Interesting excerpts

    5
    By Tunerer
    The author presents three chapters from 2 of his books. I enjoyed reading the descriptions and conclusions from his academic research enough to post this review.
  • think seinfeld et al.

    2
    By gogo21
    essentially all the little glitches you forgot to note down…surprising but i found it written, said and done.
  • this book is DRM-ed

    1
    By candy_junkie
    So, you can read it on iOS device only. I would't bought it if knew it before
  • predictable Irratonality

    5
    By Golliwog7
    I enjoyed very much the excerpts from this book.The examples and experiments discussed were interesting and relevant to life today It kept me interested and was not dry or boring in any way.Of course human behavior is very interesting and complex to begin. With,so,any experiments dealing with it are necessarily on a limited to the experiment basis,nevertheless,very interesting indeed. The author is very knowledgeable and intuitive about his subject.The questions are interesting and relevant leading me to want toreador more works from this author.
  • Predictably irrational

    5
    By Evekia
    Interesting read, and quite entertaining and thought stirring sort of way. Makes me want to read more of his work.
  • Question

    4
    By carlosporta
    I know it might seem dumb for me to ask this. But the book content says chapter 5 and chapter 12. Is an incomplete version? I know it says free. Thanks for the help ;)
  • Amazing!!

    5
    By 2star:(
    Great book I loved it. Very intelligent author and it makes you think:)
  • I would pay for this book

    5
    By Mark Nosrati
    Very insightful. Very fun to read. The research conducted in the studies are so fun that it makes you want to test them in real life situations with friends and family.
  • Liked it!!

    4
    By Jegom39
    I really enjoyed this book. Particularly the section about the meaning of work. It is something that one always suspects but is hard to demonstrate. Very compelling experiments.
  • Really interesting! I enjoyed reading it.

    5
    By Espeon727
    I want to read the other books now.