Title: The Upside of Irrationality
Author: Dan Ariely
Publisher: New York, NY : Harper, 2010.
ISBN: 9780061995033
Copyright: 2010
Pages: 334
Why I Read It: David had it in a stack of books to read, so I picked it up.
Where I Obtained the Book: Got it at my local library.
Synopsis: 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.
Review: This book was fascinating. I was shocked to find myself on many of the pages. Why we do what we do and how we do it even when it s
eems all wrong for us. Intuition? Is it always right? NO!!! Who knew? What really makes us happy is not what we think it is. How come?
Read this book, its interesting and the author has lead quite a life.
Author Biography: My immersive introduction to irrationality took place many years ago while I was overcoming injuries sustained in an explosion. The range of treatments in the burn department, and particularly the daily “bath” made me face a variety of irrational behaviors that were immensely painful and persistent. Upon leaving the hospital, I wanted to understand how to better deliver painful and unavoidable treatments to patients so I began conducting research in this area. After completing this initial research project, I became engrossed with the idea that we repeatedly and predictably make the wrong decisions in many aspects of our lives and that research could help change some of these patterns. A few years later, decision making and behavioral economics dramatically influenced my personal life when I found myself using all of the knowledge I’d accumulated in order to convince Sumi to marry me (a decision that was in my best interest but not necessarily in hers). After managing to convince her, I realized that if understanding decision-making could help me achieve this goal, it could help anyone in their daily life.
Other Reviews:
New York Times
Huffington Post
NPR
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