Predictably Irrational

The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions

By: Dan Ariely

Narrated by: Simon Jones

Length: 7 hrs and 22 mins

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

A must read for everyone.

The book is very helpful to understand the basic
process of the mind in several instances and it's impact in the areas of business . It is also useful in everyday life.

A must read

What made the experience of listening to Predictably Irrational the most enjoyable?

The scientific study exposed as how irrational we are all while making everyday decisions

What was one of the most memorable moments of Predictably Irrational?

Relativity theory - it's absolutely true

What does Simon Jones bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Explanations and intensity of voice modulations

If you could give Predictably Irrational a new subtitle, what would it be?

New Relativity Theory

Great book, went by pretty fast.

It went by pretty fast because I was so interesting . It was a really great topic that I learned much from.

I liked the book, but not the narrator.

Would you consider the audio edition of Predictably Irrational to be better than the print version?

No.

Would you recommend Predictably Irrational to your friends? Why or why not?

Yes But the print version.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

I didnt like the narrator. As an non-english native listener I had trouble in understanding the narrator's accent, entonation and speed of speech. I'd not recommend it to my fellows.

Excellent

Great introduction to the wonders of the human mind and Behavioral Economics.
Now to delve deeper :).

Interesting

Full of experiments and their meaning, but all the same most people will be able to see their own behaviour in the book. Good book and we'll read.

brilliant Marketing book

This is a fantastic book for all Marketers or People interested in understanding Human behaviour. it's very well written/ told.
easier and lighter than Kahnemans book thinking fast & slow

Thought provoking and excellent narration

I really liked all the case studies backing up the ideas presented. I did find it difficult to handle the author's description of the pain he suffered as a result of being severely burned And the pain caused by the treatment he received in the hospital.

Simon Jones is my favorite narrator and he brought his charm and wry humor to the narrative with great success. It was very enjoyable!!

Lots of insights

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I recommend this book to anyone, lot's of insights about how decisions could be influence or how you get to strange decisions about everyday things

Very good book

Too bad there's no Hebrew version of this audiobook, as the author is Israeli and Hebrew speaker.