Philip J. Corr is Professor of Psychology at City, University of London, where he specializes in behavioral economics. Reflecting his broader personality neuroscience focus, he is most interested in how individual differences in fundamental systems of motivation and emotion relate to economic behavior.

Anke C. Plagnol is Lecturer in Psychology (Behavioral Economics) at City, University of London. Her research focuses on the economic choices individuals make and how these affect their subjective well-being.

This is the first book to provide a rigorous yet accessible overview of behavioral economics, a growing field that attempts to uncover the psychological processes which mediate the economic decisions we make. Acknowledging that people are swayed by biases and emotions, and don't necessarily have access to good memories or perfect numeracy, behavioral economics challenges the assumptions of informed self-interest within mainstream economic theories. Whether used by paternalist governments to shape our behavior or advertisers and marketers to sell more products, its insights are important and far-reaching, and this is the perfect primer for anyone wishing to understand the key principles.

Preface

Chapter 1: What is Behavioral Economics and Why is it Important?

Chapter 2: The Ascent and Dissent of Economics

Chapter 3: ECON: Homo Economicus

Chapter 4: HUMAN: More Homer (Simpson) than Homo Economicus

Chapter 5: Manners, Monkeys and Moods

Chapter 6: Nudge: Whys, Ways and Weasels

Chapter 7: Sell! The Commercial (and Political) World of Persuasion

Glossary

Select bibliography

Index

Behavioral economics is everywhere - whether used by governments to shape our judgement and decision making, advertisers and marketers to sell products, or even politicians to sell policies, its insights are important and far-reaching.

Behavioral Economics: The Basics is the first book to provide a rigorous yet accessible overview of the growing field that attempts to uncover the psychological processes which mediate all the economic judgements and decisions we make. In seven accessible chapters, the book answers questions like:

• What is behavioral economics?
• How does it help us to understand economic behavior?
• What does it tell us about how people form judgements and make decisions in their private and public lives?
• What does it tell us about the psychological nature of financial catastrophes that afflict our economic system?

With recommended further readings throughout, Behavioral Economics: The Basics is essential for all students taking courses in behavioral economics, economic psychology, consumer psychology, microeconomics and game theory, and also for professionals looking for an accessible introduction to the topic.