This document summarizes key points from the book "Predictably Irrational" by Dan Ariely. The book discusses how human decision making is irrational and influenced by factors like relativity, social norms, emotions and expectations. Ariely explores how these behavioral economic principles can be used to influence choices and decisions in business, design and personal life. The summary emphasizes thinking critically about decisions and being willing to question assumptions and change approaches.
1. Predictably Irrational
Robin Deering
Predictably Irrational
By Dan Ariely
h"ps://www.amazon.com/Predictably-‐Irra:onal-‐
Revised-‐Expanded-‐Decisions/dp/0061353248
2. Predictably Irrational
Robin Deering
Dan Ariely
• James B. Duke
Professor of
Psychology and
Behavior Economics
• Ph.D. in cognitive
psychology &
business
administration
• http://danariely.com/
h"p://www.scienceofrela:onships.com/home/
2012/7/6/dan-‐ariely-‐on-‐chea:ng-‐and-‐infidelity.html
3. Predictably Irrational
Robin Deering
Why this book?
• Accident causing
third-degree burns
• Pain associated with
recovery
• Are we irrational &
why?
h"p://www.:mesofisrael.com/think-‐youre-‐honest-‐dan-‐
ariely-‐will-‐make-‐you-‐squirm/
4. Predictably Irrational
Robin Deering
Relativity
• Everything relative to
each other
• Example: Print vs.
online offer
• Searching for a guide
h"p://conversionxl.com/pricing-‐experiments-‐you-‐might-‐
not-‐know-‐but-‐can-‐learn-‐from/
6. Predictably Irrational
Robin Deering
Zero
• Paying more to pay nothing
• Emotional Surge
• Example: $0 shipping
h"p://www.apmex.com/freeshipping
7. Predictably Irrational
Robin Deering
Social Norms/Favors
• Can money be offensive?
• Example: Moving
• Example: Dog sitting
h"ps://www.pinterest.com/densgrl4ever/?redirected=1
8. Predictably Irrational
Robin Deering
Free
• Self implemented restrictions
• Example: 1 cent vs. free Starbursts
• Promotional ideas: buy 2 get 1 free
9. Predictably Irrational
Robin Deering
Arousal
• Decisions differ from predictions
• High emotions = impaired judgment
• Sex Sells
h"p://www.geenamatuson.com/blog/2014/7/15/norma-‐jeanes-‐crazed-‐seduc:on
10. Predictably Irrational
Robin Deering
Procrastination
• Self control
• Long-term thinking needed
• Positives of deadlines
h"p://www.cinemalaya.org/films/new-‐breed/quick-‐change
11. Predictably Irrational
Robin Deering
Value & Ownership
• Value what we already own more
• Need to make people feel they
already own something
h"p://www.fandango.com/movie-‐news/news-‐briefs-‐see-‐new-‐jurassic-‐
world-‐dinosaurs-‐kristen-‐stewart-‐joining-‐michelle-‐williams-‐for-‐indie-‐
drama-‐748963
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Robin Deering
Options
• Can be good or overwhelming
• Example: College
• At risk with too many design
options?
13. Predictably Irrational
Robin Deering
Expectations
• What we expect dictates what we
pay
• Key to branding & character
development
14. Predictably Irrational
Robin Deering
Expectations
h"p://yeahthatskosher.com/2014/12/brasserie-‐
halevi-‐cedarhurst-‐ny-‐review/
h"p://www.weekendnotes.com/suez-‐delights-‐malaysian-‐
restaurant/
15. Predictably Irrational
Robin Deering
Placebo
• Are placebo’s ethical?
• Price effects placebo
• Don’t take away my placebo!
h"ps://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/placebo-‐are-‐you-‐there/
16. Predictably Irrational
Robin Deering
Distrusting Marketers
• How does a designer get around
that?
• Branding as family company
• Branding as an artist
• Honesty
h"p://www.indiewire.com/2015/06/adam-‐driver-‐
and-‐alba-‐rohrwacher-‐on-‐nightmarish-‐hungry-‐
hearts-‐and-‐why-‐star-‐wars-‐feels-‐indie-‐61295/
17. Predictably Irrational
Robin Deering
Dishonesty
• People will cheat if they can
• How to prevent that
• Codes of conduct
• Signing off
• Religion
h"ps://helloworldciv.com/blog/why-‐
ten-‐commandments-‐why-‐not-‐fiTeen
18. Predictably Irrational
Robin Deering
Cash & Honesty
• Example: Steal a pencil or a dollar
• Difficult with online market
• Stealing designs vs. stealing money
h"p://
www.avclub.com/
review/writer-‐
nebraska-‐gets-‐
religion-‐
confirma:on-‐233733
19. Predictably Irrational
Robin Deering
Behavior Economics
• New field
• Other’s choices influence own
• Example: Ordering food
• Want designs to be seen used by
others
h"p://hookedonhouses.net/
2009/05/10/movie-‐monday-‐the-‐
french-‐village-‐of-‐chocolat/
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Robin Deering
Recap
• Irrational decision making
• Repetitive decision making
• Ability to change
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Robin Deering
Personal Implications
• Think through decisions
• Evaluate decisions at multiple steps
• Question things
h"p://steponmagazine.com/big-‐eyes-‐kitsch-‐and-‐realism-‐create-‐:m-‐burtons-‐best-‐
work-‐in-‐a-‐decade/
22. Predictably Irrational
Robin Deering
Design Implications
• Target decision making patterns
• Be willing to change
h"ps://worldonafork.com/2013/01/27/movies-‐about-‐art-‐ar:sts-‐and-‐painters/