Dan Ariely, a professor of psychology and behavioral economics, discusses why rational people believe irrational things, the avoidance of facts when we don't like the solution, and how a lack of trust can spiral into other areas. They also explore the psychological needs satisfied by misbeliefs and the importance of empathy in discussions and understanding motivation. Additionally, they touch on the impact of employee treatment on stock returns.

On this episode of the Knowledge Project, I’m joined by the fascinating Dan Ariely. Dan just about does it all. He has delivered 6 TED talks with a combined 20 million views, he’s a multiple New York Times best-selling author, a widely published researcher, and the James B Duke Professor of Psychology and Behavioral Economics at Duke University. For the better part of three decades, Dan has been immersed in researching why humans do some of the silly, irrational things we do. And yes, as much as we’d all like to be exempt, that includes you too. In this captivating interview, we tackle a lot of interesting topics, including: The three types of decisions that control our life and how understanding our biases can help us make smarter decisions How our environment plays a big role in our decision making and the small changes we can make to automatically improve our outcomes The “behavioural driven” bathroom scale Dan has been working on to revolutionize weight loss Which of our irrational behaviors transfer across cultures and which ones are unique to certain parts of the world (for example, find out which country is the most honest) The dishonesty spectrum and why we as humans insist on flirting with the line between “honest” and “dishonest” 3 sneaky mental tricks Dan uses to avoid making ego-driven decisions “Pluralistic ignorance” and how it dangerously affects our actions and inactions (As a bonus, Dan shares the hilarious way he demonstrates this concept to his students on their first day of class) The rule Dan created specifically for people with spinach in their teeth The difference between habits, rules, and rituals, and why they are critical to shaping us into who we want to be This was a riveting discussion and one that easily could have gone for hours. If you’ve ever wondered how you’d respond in any of these eye-opening experiments, you have to listen to this interview. If you’re anything like me, you’ll learn something new about yourself, whether you want to or not.   *** Go Premium: Members get early access, ad-free episodes, hand-edited transcripts, searchable transcripts, member-only episodes, and more. Sign up at: https://fs.blog/membership/   Every Sunday our newsletter shares timeless insights and ideas that you can use at work and home. Add it to your inbox: https://fs.blog/newsletter/   Follow Shane on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/ShaneAParrish   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan Ariely, author of Misbelief, discusses why rational people believe irrational things and the psychology behind it. He explores the universal appeal of misbelief, how it is ignited by people operating in bad faith, and the psychological toll of receiving death threats. The importance of cultivating resilience to counter misbelief is emphasized. The podcast also covers topics such as the complexity of conspiracy theories, navigating thought loops and ambiguity, and the impact of trust on society.

Dan Ariely and Francesca Gino are two of the biggest stars in behavioral science. Both have conducted blockbuster research into how to make people more honest, research we've highlighted on Planet Money. The two worked together on a paper about how to "nudge" people to be more honest on things like forms or tax returns. Their trick: move the location where people attest that they have filled in a form honestly from the bottom of the form to the top.But recently, questions have arisen about whether the data Ariely and Gino relied on in their famous paper about honesty were fabricated — whether their research into honesty was itself built on lies. The blog Data Colada went looking for clues in the cells of the studies' Excel spreadsheets, the shapes of their data distributions, and even the fonts that were used.The Hartford, an insurance company that collaborated with Ariely on one implicated study, told NPR this week in a statement that it could confirm that the data it had provided for that study had been altered had been altered after they gave it to Ariely, but prior to the research's publication: "It is clear the data was manipulated inappropriately and supplemented by synthesized or fabricated data." Ariely denies that he was responsible for the falsified data. "Getting the data file was the extent of my involvement with the data," he told NPR.Help support Planet Money and get bonus episodes by subscribing to Planet Money+ in Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/planetmoney.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In this podcast, behavioral economist and author Dan Ariely discusses mass psychosis and the influence of misbeliefs on perception. They explore the impact of stress on belief formation and the role of emotions in decision-making and behavior. The illusion of explanatory depth and the importance of acknowledging uncertainty are also discussed. Additionally, they touch on topics such as online therapy, setting clear predictions, and the cost-benefit perspective on free speech.

Lessons on different types of motivators, what behavioral science can teach us about motivation, and the importance of intrinsic motivators in the workplace. View the full recap at https://ideo.in/beworks

In this enlightening discussion, behavioral economist Dan Ariely, a Duke University professor and author, delves into the psychology behind irrational beliefs and misbelief. He explores how stress and cognitive biases distort our perceptions, especially in today's polarized climate. Dan highlights the dangers of misinformation using personal anecdotes from the COVID pandemic, advocating for empathy and curiosity to bridge societal divides. His insights into the interplay of irrationality and decision-making challenge us to question our own assumptions and beliefs.

Dan Ariely, a renowned expert in behavioral economics and author of 'Predictably Irrational', dives into the intricacies of decision-making in career choices. He reveals how irrational choices often stem from psychological barriers like inertia, which can trap individuals in unfulfilling jobs. Ariely advocates for 'squiggly sabbaticals' to explore new roles and encourages listeners to prioritize skill acquisition in their career planning. The episode offers strategies for balancing immediate job tasks with long-term personal growth aspirations.

World renowned social scientist, Dan Ariely, discusses mass psychosis, irrational traps, and the importance of critical thinking. They explore the challenges in education, taboo topics, resilience, replication crisis in social sciences, and the search for truth. They also touch on mental health support during the holiday season and the potential benefits of substances like LSD and mushrooms in decision-making.

Join Dan Ariely, the James B. Duke Professor of Psychology and Behavioral Economics at Duke University, as he dives into the quirks of human decision-making. He shares how regret often drives us to inaction and why we agonize over minor purchases while major life choices seem easier. Discover the interplay between market norms and social connections, and how our environment influences decisions. Ariely’s insights reveal the predictability of our irrational behaviors, offering tools for making better choices in life and relationships.