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Freakonomics Radio

282. Could Solving This One Problem Solve All the Others?

Apr 6, 2017
Angela Duckworth, a renowned psychology professor known for her work on grit, joins Katie Milkman, a behavior change expert, to explore the complexities of human decision-making. They discuss the concept of temptation bundling, where fun activities help foster positive habits. The duo also tackles societal disparities in health and financial decisions, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions. Moreover, they delve into how interdisciplinary collaboration can enhance behavior change research and apply innovative strategies in public policy.
35:23

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Quick takeaways

  • The podcast emphasizes that human decision-making often sabotages long-term well-being, highlighting the necessity of understanding behavior change.
  • Angela Duckworth and Katie Milkman's project aims to create effective strategies for behavior modification by collaborating with experts in various fields.

Deep dives

The Challenge of Human Behavior

Human decision-making often undermines long-term well-being, as highlighted by Angela Duckworth. Many individuals are aware of detrimental habits such as poor eating, unwise spending, and inefficient use of time, yet they continue to engage in self-sabotaging behaviors. This paradox creates significant challenges in addressing social issues effectively, and Duckworth emphasizes that understanding and altering this behavior is crucial for improvement. Consequently, addressing why people struggle to make beneficial choices is a core focus of contemporary behavioral science.

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