SOME GOOD BS TO START YOU OFF
Behavioral science offers a new way to see problems, interpret why people do what they do, and gain insight into the way we think we think. There are many, many articles, books, and videos out there on this topic – here are just a few to get you started on your way. Enjoy.
Short Articles
For a brief and clear review of Kahneman’s book, “Thinking, Fast and Slow”, with a good overview of System 1 and System 2.
Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman - Review
This article shows how psychology, biology, and neurology are ganging up on economics to prove that, when it comes to making decisions, people are anything but rational.
The Irrational Consumer: Why Economics Is Dead Wrong About How We Make Choices
This is longer, but a worthwhile companion for exploring human behavior. A very readable primer on behavioral economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science that provides a brief overview of what science knows about behavior.
Behavioral Economics - A Primer
Short Videos
Two thought leaders who offer an entertaining place to start your journey into the topic.
Daniel Kahneman, Nobel laureate and father of behavioral economics, talks about the cognitive biases that affect our decision-making, a topic explored in his book, Thinking Fast and Slow. (4 minutes)
Daniel Kahneman Interview - Nobel Laureate
It may seem that big problems require big solutions, but ad man Rory Sutherland says many flashy, expensive fixes are just obscuring better, simpler answers. To illustrate, he uses behavioral economics and hilarious examples. (12 Minutes)
Sweat the Small Stuff - Ted Talk