Dan Ariely is on a mission to set the antiquated Rational Agent Model of standard economics on fire. The image of humans as rational, calculating, maximizing machines is giving way to a more realistic picture of fumbling, floundering beings who choose instant gratification over long-term goals, constantly failing at self-control. In this talk, Ariely will use the concepts of behavioral economics to explain our systematic and predictable flaws, and connect what we know about human decision making to both individual health and the optimization of healthcare systems. When our predictable irrationalities get in the way of making the right decisions to benefit long-term health, we can work to harness our imperfections with a model that showcases our strengths and suppresses our shortcomings.

Speaker Bio

Dan Ariely is the James B. Duke Professor of Psychology and Behavioral Economics at Duke University and is the founder of The Center for Advanced Hindsight and co-founder of BEworks, Timeful, Genie and Shapa.