Behavioral economics

Behavioral economics examines how real cognitive constraints, emotions, and context influence people's economic decisions.

Definition

Behavioral economics combines economics with psychology to explain decisions that deviate from the fully rational human model. It analyzes, among others: heuristics, cognitive biases, loss aversion, framing effects, default options and choice architecture. It is useful in personal finance, service design, public policy and behavior change.

Key ideas

Missing key ideas.

Practice and life

When making financial decisions, check for framing, loss aversion, or the sunk cost effect. Change the way you present the decision and count it again.

Common misunderstanding

It is a mistake to assume that behavioral economics proves that people are irrational in all situations. A common mistake is using it to manipulate rather than support better decisions.

Questions for self-reflection

No questions for self-reflection.

Sources

No sources.