Behavioral Economics

In his 2004 The Paradox of Choice, Swarthmore psychologist Barry Schwartz lays out an idea that is difficult to understand for most modern Americans.

Quite simply, Schwartz believes there are to many choices in our lives.
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Have you ever experienced do-gooder exhaustion? When you've done the right things for so long, you just need to indulge your inner sinner? Or when you've given so much to others that you want to save something for yourself? Read More

If you knew only one thing about persuasion, what would it be? Read More

The serenity prayer is more than how they close AA meetings. That thing is deep and speaks to the fundamentals of the human condition, including everything that drives psychology and the behavioral sciences in general--the pursuit of wisdom whereby we can make better decisions, trekking the winding mountain ridge of life in the dark about the future without sliding down the slippery slopes on either side of the ridge top. Here are some new variations on that greatest of prayers. Read More

American presidents have been trying to reform our healthcare system since at least the Nixon era, but with only limited success. Past reform efforts have failed for many reasons. For starters, the U.S. healthcare system is complex, with the medical industry making up almost 1/6 of our economy. Read More

What man doesn't need improvement in love?  Let's consider how persuasion works with love and against love. Read More

It's not just about the price - sale shopping is deeply psychological.

Tanya, 23, of Alexandria, VA was walking through Nordstrom on her way to meet a friend for lunch and spotted a table piled high with handbags. "It called to me! I found the cutest hobo, it was the last one, I had to buy it." Read More

The layoffs in the public sector are about to impact the unemployment figures. July is likely to be a bad month for state and local workers. Read More