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  • Predictably Irrational

  • The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions
  • Written by: Dan Ariely
  • Narrated by: Simon Jones
  • Length: 7 hrs and 22 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (264 ratings)

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Predictably Irrational

Written by: Dan Ariely
Narrated by: Simon Jones
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Publisher's Summary

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

What listeners say about Predictably Irrational

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    2 out of 5 stars

PAINFUL

Bought this Author's book years ago but never read it. It looked interesting given the cover, the reviews in thre inside cover and given his credentials. Decided to listen to it in Audiobooks just to cross it off my list. He describes numerous experiments performed on his student population. For me, there were no surprises or epiphanies in this book...I also don't understand why he would choose a narrator with a strong British accent? The author doesnt have a British accent...Normally, I don't find this accent a challenge to my ears but this one, I did. Disappointing. Won't be listening to another of his works.

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Excellent and enlightening

A great perspective on behavior delivered in a light and easily understood way. Delivered with implications on our daily lives and with a wink to policy makers. You doesn’t need to be a scientist to appreciate and enjoy this book.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Simone Jones makes it fun to listen to

I have followed most of Dan Ariely's work and after you heard 3 books, most of it sounds like repetitive stories. However, his behavior science work is amazing and this book shows some of the mind boggling experiments he had conducted and the results of those cases and how humans are irrational in their behavior.

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Interesting and informative

The book is well written and fun to read. So much was learnt! The audio performance was great. I plan to read it again and pass it to the kids when they are older.
I read other books about human behaviour and decision making. Most are really good, like “think fast and slow” , “decisive”. But this one is the easiest to read and the best (in my opinion) if the topic is introduced to younger audience.

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    4 out of 5 stars

A great and mind blowing read.

It’s astonishing book to read, very informative. However some experiments they had done don’t really seem very reliable. For example the honesty test to see if students will cheat or not sounded cheeky. If I was given such a test, I would have reacted differently knowing that this was a clear exam for my honesty, not for the questions asked on the paper and quite sure most people thought that way as well. That’s the only negative , other then that, a great book, definitely recommend to read this

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loved it

but the add for the little house on the Prairies at the end was out of line

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    4 out of 5 stars

I liked this book, but feel it's a little preachy

Great book, but like any book that tries to capture the human spirit, it excites in some ways and falls short in others.

The studies are all interesting and the topics are well-discussed, but I can't help but think Dan misses the point on some of his postulations. I really did enjoy this book, there's just something holding me back from giving it the 5 stars.

Maybe it's irrational, but that's a risk I'm willing to take after reading this book.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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good mind shift

interesting, provides alot to think through and to rationalize some of the bizarre thoughts and actions we as a society engage in

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This is a must-read for skeptics and everyone else

Why we do what we do is mysterious. Dan Ariely explains some of it with a dry wit and a wicked sense of humour. I would read anything he writes.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Good contents, horrible voice.

I love the contents no doubt. But the narrator just cant talk like a normal person, sounds like he was drunk throughout the entire book. This is a non fiction book. We want to learn the knowledge as efficiently as possible, so be clear and normal, please don't try to sound charming or anything.

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