The Best of Dan Ariely

“The problem is that we are not aware of our irrationality, so we often make bad decisions and stick to them.”

— Dan Ariely

Dan Ariely is a popular figure in behavioural economics known for his unique approach to understanding human behaviour and decision-making. 

Born in New York and raised in Israel, Dan holds a PhD in cognitive psychology from the University of North Carolina and a PhD in business administration from Duke University. 

He is the James B. Duke Professor of Psychology and Behavioral Economics at Duke.

Dan is well known for his best-selling books and popular TED Talks, which delve into the quirks of human nature, revealing why we often make illogical decisions and how we can use these behaviours to improve our lives. 

To help you fill your boots with his wisdom, we’ve compiled a list of his best bits below:

1. Dan Ariely’s Books 

Dan has written eight insightful books on human behaviour and decision-making. Here is a brief rundown of each one:

Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions (2008) 

The book that started Dan’s writing career exposes the flaws in conventional economic theory by unpacking the predictable patterns behind seemingly irrational human behaviour. 

The Upside of Irrationality: The Unexpected Benefits of Defying Logic at Work and at Home (2010) 

Dan’s second book looks at how irrationality influences our work and personal lives and some of the surprising benefits that come from these tendencies.

The (Honest) Truth About Dishonesty: How We Lie to Everyone – Especially Ourselves (2012) 

As its title suggests, this book investigates the reasons behind our dishonest behaviours and how we justify them to ourselves.

Payoff: The Hidden Logic That Shapes Our Motivations (2016)

In ‘Payoff’, Dan explores the often counterintuitive nature of motivation. He reveals that motivation is not just about monetary rewards; it's deeply tied to meaning, creativity, and personal connections. 

Dollars and Sense: How We Misthink Money and How to Spend Smarter (2017) 

This book, co-authored with Jeff Kreisler, addresses the irrational ways we handle money and offers practical advice for making better financial decisions.

Behavioural Economics Save My Dog: Life Advice for the Imperfect Human

This fun book is a collection of Dan’s advice columns, where he uses principles of behavioural economics to address everyday problems like relationship woes and workplace dilemmas. 

Small Change: Money Mishaps and How to Avoid Them

Dan’s other collaboration with Jeff Kreisler delves into the common financial mistakes we make and the behavioural biases behind them. It’s a humorous guide that provides practical advice to help anyone develop healthier financial habits and avoid major money mishaps.

2. Dan Ariely’s Talks 

Here are five of Dan Ariely's most popular talks, which have entertained audiences and provided insights into the quirkiness of human behaviour:

1. Are We in Control of Our Own Decisions? (TED 2008)

Dan shows how seemingly insignificant factors can powerfully influence our decisions. Using a series of experiments, he demonstrates how our choices are often irrational but predictably so.

2. What Makes Us Feel Good About Our Work? (TEDx RiodelaPlata 2012)

This talk delves into the motivations behind our work, challenging the belief that money is the primary driver of productivity and satisfaction. Dan discusses the role of meaning, recognition, and pride in our professional lives.

3. Our Buggy Moral Code (TED 2009)

This talk focuses on the complexities of dishonesty and morality. Dan shares insights from his research on why people lie and cheat, revealing that our moral compass is more complex than we think.

4. The Hidden Logic That Shapes Our Motivations (TED@BCG San Francisco 2016)

Building on the themes of motivation and behaviour, Dan discusses how understanding the hidden forces behind our actions can lead to more effective incentives and better life outcomes.

5. How Equal Do We Want the World to Be? You'd Be Surprised (TEDGlobal 2015)

Dan examines perceptions of inequality and fairness, presenting surprising findings about what people across different cultures consider a fair distribution of wealth and resources.

3. Dan Ariely’s Podcast Appearances 

Dan has appeared on many popular podcasts, sharing his insights on behavioural economics, decision-making, and human behaviour. Here are five of his most popular podcast appearances:

1. Freakonomics Radio: The Upside of Quitting

Dan discusses quitting, challenging the negative stigma associated with it and exploring the rational reasons why quitting can sometimes be in your best interest.

2. Hidden Brain: You 2.0: Deep Work

In this episode, Dan talks about the importance of deep, focused work and how to achieve it in a world filled with distractions. He offers practical tips and insights based on his research.

3. The Tim Ferriss Show: How to Hack Your Brain (and Career) 

Dan joins Tim Ferriss to discuss a wide range of topics, including how to make better decisions, improve productivity, and understand the quirks of human behaviour.

4. Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard: Dan Ariely

In this engaging conversation, Dan and Dax Shepard explore various aspects of human irrationality, dishonesty, and motivation, blending humour with deep insights.

5. The Knowledge Project with Shane Parrish: The Psychology of Money, Meaning, and Motivation with Dan Ariely

Dan shares his thoughts on how we perceive and handle money and how understanding these can lead to better personal and professional outcomes. Well worth listening to.

4. Dan’s TV Show

The Irrational is an NBC show loosely based on Dan’s life. It stars the actor Jesse L. Martin as Alec Mercer, a world-renowned behavioural science professor who applies his expertise in psychology, body language, and emotion to tackle high-stakes cases. Like Dan, Mercer approaches life with an insatiable curiosity about human decision-making. It’s an entertaining show that won’t disappoint.

5. Dan Ariely’s Best Quotes

1. "Individuals are honest only to the extent that suits them (including their desire to please others and be liked) and when it suits them."

2. "We are far less rational in our decision-making than standard economic theory assumes."

3. "Big data is about making connections, finding patterns, and making better predictions and decisions."

4. "The danger of expecting nothing is that, in the end, it might be all we’ll get."

5. "Our behaviors are driven by forces that we often don't understand, and the biggest challenge is to understand these forces and change our behavior accordingly."

6. "Good decisions come from good systems, and good systems come from understanding and correcting our irrational behaviors."

7. "Money is a complex motivator. The things that motivate us involve money, but they also include a sense of purpose, achievement, and connection."

8. "We usually think of ourselves as sitting in the driver's seat, with ultimate control over the decisions we make and the direction our life takes; but, alas, this perception has more to do with our desires—with how we want to view ourselves—than with reality."

9. "The problem is that we are not aware of our irrationality, so we often make bad decisions and stick to them."

10. "People are sometimes willing to sacrifice economic benefits for the sake of fairness."

Are we missing anything? What other great Dan resources are out there? 

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If you’ve exhausted the above resources and are still hungry for more, try our popular Behavioural Economics and Applied Behavioural Science courses.