Consumed

Behavioral Economics

Behavioral Science in the 21st Century: 5 Challenges

Alain Samson Ph.D. on July 6, 2023

If behavioral science is to contribute to solving complex global problems, it needs to address challenges in five areas.

Consumer Behavior

Savvy to Sneaky: 10 Ways Sellers Use Price to Make Us Buy

Alain Samson Ph.D. on April 10, 2023

Are you falling prey to common pricing tricks used by sellers? Uncover the psychology behind 10 of them.

Cognition

Do You Like to Think?

Alain Samson Ph.D. on January 10, 2023

Decision quality is partly determined by your information processing. But do you enjoy the thinking process in the first place? The answer may be more important than you think.

Career

How People Deal With Unexpected Time Gains

Alain Samson Ph.D. on September 26, 2022

Do people treat unexpectedly gained time the same as financial windfalls?

Bias

5 Ways to Spark Reflections About Bias

Alain Samson Ph.D. on June 22, 2022

These simple challenges are proven to create “aha moments” about rationality and bias. Why not try them at work?

Persuasion

How Culture Influences Our Response to Risk

Alain Samson Ph.D. on March 21, 2022

How a problem is framed influences how much risk we're willing to tolerate—but culture plays a part, too.

Career

Payment Frequency Impacts Consumer Spending

Alain Samson Ph.D. on December 20, 2021

Does the gig economy encourage spending?

Career

People Believe that Products Work Better for Others than Themselves

Alain Samson Ph.D. on September 21, 2021

Whether it’s a sports drink or COVID-19 vaccine, people often think that others will benefit more from consumer products. Why?

Career

10 Ways to Get a Big Project Done

Alain Samson Ph.D. on June 23, 2021

Do you have trouble completing big projects? Behavioral science can nudge you over the finish line.

Relationships

Crowd Control: Why Economists Love Empty Stadiums

Alain Samson Ph.D. on March 18, 2021

How the pandemic has enabled research on the effects of social pressure in sports.

Fear

Why We Comply

Alain Samson Ph.D. on December 15, 2020

Does the fear of sanctions make people follow social distancing rules?

Ethics and Morality

COVID-19 and Applied Behavioral Science Ethics

Alain Samson Ph.D. on September 15, 2020

Has the pandemic hastened a need for professional ethics in behavioral science?

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Under Pressure: Good Behavior in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Alain Samson Ph.D. on May 5, 2020

Behavioral science is sometimes accused of focusing on what people get wrong. During the COVID-19 pandemic, let’s also ask why and how people are getting it right.

Cognition

Fake It Until You Break It

Alain Samson Ph.D. on February 4, 2020

Putting on a happy face is unlikely to turn you into Joaquin Phoenix's "Joker." But faking your emotions can have profound effects on your thoughts and feelings.