Principles of Behavioral Economics

Peter Earl is Honorary Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Queensland, Australia.

• 1. What is behavioral economics?; 2. What motivates us?; 3. Why is life so full of problems for us to try to solve?; 4. How do we acknowledge problems and assess our options?; 5. How do we deal with uncertainty and ambiguity?; 6. How do we search for solutions to problems?; 7. Why do some things matter more than others?; 8. How do we choose?; 9. How can firms and governments influence our choices?; 10. What determines the productivity of an organization?; 11. How does the competitive process work?; 12. Are there any behavioral insights for macroeconomists?; 13. Can we be happy without destroying the environment?

'Peter Earl has produced a magnificent volume. In it he overcomes a number of challenges. He offers a new visionary overview of the field of behavioural economics. He carefully and lucidly negotiates the different approaches in this area, offering some important and original critical insights. The readable and fluid style extends its appeal to a wider audience, including to scholars, young and old, in economics, business and management. This is a landmark contribution to behavioural economics and related fields.' Geoff Hodgson, Loughborough University