Nudge : improving decisions about health, wealth, and happiness

Book

Nudge : improving decisions about health, wealth, and happiness / Richard H. Thaler, Cass R. Sunstein.

Thaler, Richard H., 1945- (author.). Sunstein, Cass R., (author.).

Summary:

Offering a study of the application of the science of choice, a guide that uses examples from all aspects of life demonstrates how it is possible to design environments that make it more likely for us to act in our own interests.

"Nudge is about choices--how we make them and how we can make better ones. Drawing on decades of research in the fields of behavioral science and economics, authors Richard H. Thaler and Cass R. Sunstein offer a new perspective on preventing the countless mistakes we make--ill-advised personal investments, consumption of unhealthy foods, neglect of our natural resources--and show us how sensible "choice architecture" can successfully nudge people toward the best decisions. In the tradition of The Tipping Point and Freakonomics, Nudge is straightforward, informative, and entertaining--a must-read for anyone interested in our individual and collective well-being." -- Publisher's description

Record details

ISBN: 9780143115267
ISBN: 014311526X
Physical Description: viii, 312 pages : illustrations ; 22 cm.
Edition: Revised and expanded edition.
Publisher: New York : Penguin Books, 2009.

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:: Includes bibliographical references (pages 281-302) and index.
Formatted Contents Note:: Part I. Humans and econs : Biases and blunders -- Resisting temptation -- Following the herd -- When do we need a nudge? -- Choice architecture -- Part II. Money : Save more tomorrow -- Naïve investing -- Credit markets -- Privatizing social security: smorgasbord style -- Part III. Health : Prescription drugs: Part D for daunting -- How to increase organ donations -- Saving the planet -- Part IV. Freedom : Improving school choices -- Should patients be forced to buy lottery tickets? -- Privatizing marriage -- Part V. Extensions and objections : A dozen nudges -- Objections -- The real third way -- Bonus chapter: twenty more nudges -- Postscript : November 2008.