Overview

Humans just aren't entirely rational creatures. We decide to roll over and hit the snooze button instead of going to the gym. We take out home loans we can't possibly afford. And did you know that people named Paul are more likely to move to St. Paul than other cities? All too often, our subconscious causes us to act against our own self-interest. But our free-market economy is based on the assumption that we always do act in our own self-interest. In this provocative book, physician Peter Ubel uses his understanding of psychology and behavior to show that in some cases government must regulate markets for our own health and well-being. And by understanding and controlling the factors that go into our decisions, big and small, we can all begin to stop the damage we do to our bodies, our finances, and our economy as a whole. Ubel's vivid stories bring his message home for anyone interested in improving the way our society works.

Full Product Details

Author:   Peter A. Ubel
Publisher:   Harvard Business Review Press
Imprint:   Harvard Business Review Press
Dimensions:   Width: 16.50cm , Height: 2.30cm , Length: 24.10cm
Weight:   0.555kg
ISBN:  

9781422126097

ISBN 10:   1422126099
Pages:   257
Publication Date:   16 December 2008
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Temporarily unavailable  
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Table of Contents

"Part I. The Evolution of Homo economicus: Belief in Reason, Faith in Markets 1) The Invisible Hand Meets the Unconscious Brain 2) 19th Century Economics and the Mathematics of ""Happiness"" 3) 20th Century Politics and the Triumph of Chicago Libertarianism Part II. The Rise of Behavioral Economics 4) Librarians, Fighter Pilots and the Limits of Rationality 5) Cashews, Coffee Mugs and the Birth of Behavioral Economics 6) Marketing and the Science of Persuasion: Madison Avenue Masters Behavioral Psychology Part III. Irrationality Hits Home 7) Spacious Lawns and Long Commutes 8) Unconscious Appetites and Expanding Waistlines 9) Impulsive Behavior and the Battle Between our Current and Future Selves 10) Risky Feelings and Cigarette Breaks 11) The Price of Life and the Cost of Healthcare Part IV. Human Nature and the New Paternalism 12) Kinder, Gentler Paternalism 13) Balancing Liberty and the Pursuit of Well-being"

Reviews

""...an accessible guide...combination of the theoretical and the practical, along with the author's ability to move smoothly between the two, that gives the book its charm."" - Strategy + Business, Summer 2009 Issue

. ..an accessible guide...combination of the theoretical and the practical, along with the author's ability to move smoothly between the two, that gives the book its charm. - Strategy + Business, Summer 2009 Issue

Author Information

Peter A. Ubel is a physician and behavioral scientist at the University of Michigan, where he directs the Center for Behavioral and Decision Sciences in Medicine. A prominent thinker in medicine and other fields, he has written for numerous science publications as well as the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, and the Huffington Post. His appearances on radio and television shows include Talk of the Nation, All Things Considered, and Fresh Air.

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