Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape our Decisions

Describe a time that you used the concept of relativity to make a decision. Knowing what you know now about human behavior and the problem of relativity, would you make a different decision?

What is the law of supply and demand? Can people rely on market forces and free markets to set optimal market prices? Use examples from Predictably Irrational to support your argument.

Why does the author believe that social norms over market norms will better solve environmental issues? Do you think this is a persuasive argument for how to deal with the global nature of these issues?

Why do humans give up long-term goals for short-term gains? What are some strategies that Ariely proposes to counteract procrastination? Do you think these strategies will be easily adoptable by individuals and society?

Why does Ariely believe that “we are mostly fumbling around in the dark” (173) when it comes to making accurate decisions about owning items? Why is ownership peculiar? Do you think individuals will be able to cure the ills of ownership? Why or why not?

Should researchers discontinue their use of placebos? Why or why not? How would Ariely respond to your argument?

Why are humans dishonest? What are some of the cures for dishonesty presented by the author? Do you find any of them particularly compelling?

What does Ariely mean when he says “that we are pawns in a game whose forces we largely fail to comprehend” (321)? Do you share his optimism that humans will be able to learn from past mistakes and make better individual and collective decisions? Why or why not?