The title of this post is a twist on one of my favorite songs, "Once Bitten, Twice Shy", by Ian Hunter, former lead singer for the British band Mott the Hoople. If you're not familiar with the phrase, here is the definition from the Cambridge Dictionary: said when you are frightened to do something again because … Continue reading Once Botched, Twice Shy?
Category: dan ariely
Testing the “Peak-End” Rule
Blah blah blah. Blah blah blah. Total Assets = Total Liabilities plus Total Equity Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania. Future value of a lump sum = Present value of the lump sum * [(1 plus the interest rate) raised to the number of years] Blah blah blah. Blah blah blah. Here is an email … Continue reading Testing the “Peak-End” Rule
To plan or not to plan?
Many of Dan Ariely’s recent columns have focused on COVID-19 issues and his current one is no exception. Here’s a question a reader posed: Dear Dan, The holidays are right around the corner, but I’ve been hesitating to make plans to visit family or host a party. The changing Covid-19 situation means that any plan … Continue reading To plan or not to plan?
Mirror, Mirror On the Wall. Who’s the Most Honest Trick-or-Treater of All?
I might have to try this little experiment. In the most recent edition of "Ask Ariely", a reader asked behavioral economist Dan Ariely the following question: For Halloween this year, we are going to leave a plastic jack-o-lantern full of wrapped treats on the doorstep along with a sign that says “Only one piece of … Continue reading Mirror, Mirror On the Wall. Who’s the Most Honest Trick-or-Treater of All?
Can You Solve the Candle Problem?
In today's class, I showed the wonderful Dan Pink TED talk on motivation (yes, the same Dan Pink who many of you pointed out the other day needs to work on his hand washing). In part of the video, Dan introduces the candle problem, which is shown in the image above. The problem was developed by … Continue reading Can You Solve the Candle Problem?
It’s Dan Ariely Time!
I'm quite happy that it appears that Dan's column in the Wall Street Journal is back with some regularity because it has always been a great source of material for my blog. And this week is no exception. Here is one of the emails Dan received: Dear Dan, I am obsessed with my blogging stats. … Continue reading It’s Dan Ariely Time!
How to Avoid Behaving Irrationally
Dan Ariely has written several books about irrational decision making, including Predictably Irrational and The Upside of Irrationality. His books are both enjoyable and educational. In addition, he has a regular column in the Wall Street Journal called Ask Dan, which has been the basis for many of my blog posts over the past five … Continue reading How to Avoid Behaving Irrationally
Moving Beyond Small Talk
COVID-19. The weather. The latest sports score. Those are among the go-to topics that many of us probably default to when we are in a conversation with someone. But what if you want to move beyond that, and get to know someone a bit better? Well, Dan Ariely, a behavioral economist, has some suggestions, based … Continue reading Moving Beyond Small Talk
The Paradox of Last Place
We all (well, maybe not all) remember those dreaded gym classes when it was time for teams to be picked. If you weren't an athlete (nope), popular (nope), or good-looking (nope), you were going to be among the last ones selected. And you were just hoping you would not be THE last one selected. While … Continue reading The Paradox of Last Place
If This Is True, Then I Should Be the King of Brainstorming
I've written more than a few posts about some of my embarrassing moments (I have so many to choose from): Lobster Man Strikes Again Another One of Life’s Embarrassing Moments Embarrassing Stories – A Wonderful Way to Get to Know One Another? Another Benefit of Sharing Embarrassing Moments Add One More to Life’s Embarrassing Moments Well, That Was Embarrassing… The … Continue reading If This Is True, Then I Should Be the King of Brainstorming
Borden's Blather 