The Upside of Irrationality
by Dan Ariely
Ariely's second book, more personal: why large bonuses backfire, the IKEA effect, the not-invented-here bias, revenge, adaptation, online dating and his own recovery from severe burns. It is less tight than Predictably Irrational and more humane.
Read it if…
you liked Predictably Irrational and want more, with more of the author.
Skip it if…
you have not read the first; start there.
Three things you will actually use
- Big incentives can hurt performance on complex tasks.
- We overvalue our own creations.
- Adaptation cuts both ways; use it.
Do this first
Notice the IKEA effect: how much more you value what you built yourself, and whether it is justified.
Our verdict
Humane and interesting.
Compare with other Mindset books
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