The Upside of Irrationality: The Unexpected Benefits of Defying Logic at Work and at Home

“Dan Ariely is a genius at understanding human behavior: no economist does a better job of uncovering and explaining the hidden reasons for the weird ways we act.” — James Surowiecki, author of The Wisdom of Crowds

Behavioral economist and New York Times bestselling author of Predictably Irrational Dan Ariely returns to offer a much-needed take on the irrational decisions that influence our dating lives, our workplace experiences, and our temptation to cheat in any and all areas. Fans of Freakonomics, Survival of the Sickest, and Malcolm Gladwell’s Blink and The Tipping Point will find many thought-provoking insights in The Upside of Irrationality.

The provocative follow-up to the New York Times bestseller Predictably Irrational

• Why can large bonuses make CEOs less productive?
• How can confusing directions actually help us?
• Why is revenge so important to us?
• Why is there such a big difference between what we think will make us happy and what really makes us happy?

In his groundbreaking book Predictably Irrational, social scientist Dan Ariely revealed the multiple biases that lead us into making unwise decisions. Now, in The Upside of Irrationality, he exposes the surprising negative and positive effects irrationality can have on our lives. Focusing on our behaviors at work and in relationships, he offers new insights and eye-opening truths about what really motivates us on the job, how one unwise action can become a long-term habit, how we learn to love the ones we're with, and more.

Drawing on the same experimental methods that made Predictably Irrational one of the most talked-about bestsellers of the past few years, Ariely uses data from his own original and entertaining experiments to draw arresting conclusions about how—and why—we behave the way we do. From our office attitudes, to our romantic relationships, to our search for purpose in life, Ariely explains how to break through our negative patterns of thought and behavior to make better decisions. The Upside of Irrationality will change the way we see ourselves at work and at home—and cast our irrational behaviors in a more nuanced light.

“Dan’s insights into human behavior are transformative for consumer-centric companies. His research reveals surprising opportunities to think and act in new ways about your customers and your company’s culture.” - Lorrie Norrington, President, eBay Marketplaces

“As in his previous book, the best-selling Predictably Irrational, the experiments Ariely describes generate entertaining and often counterintuitive insights. . . . The result is more than just a handbook for business managers or a collection of snippets to relay at cocktail parties. . . . [D]eciding how to apply his insights is a pleasure that lingers long after the book is finished.” - New York Times Book Review

“The Upside of Irrationality is an eye-opening, insightful look at human behavior, proving that defying logic is part of what makes us human.” - Boston Globe

“The follow-up to Ariely’s Predictably Irrational is predictably readable and insightful about the foibles of economic decision making.” - Newsweek

“People are wired to search for meaning and purpose in their lives and work. Dan Ariely is a genius at uncovering and explaining what really motivates us to perform. The Upside of Irrationality will help reshape the way you see yourself and those around you.” - Bob McDonald, Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer, P&G

“The fact that we’re not as logical as a computer is not bug but a feature. In this insightful, delightful and illuminating book, Ariely shows how letting our emotional selves beat out our rational selves changes the decisions we make in the long run, often by ignoring the inconvenient facts in front of us!” - Chris Anderson, editor in chief of Wired and author of The Long Tail and Free

“Dan is on a quest to identify and stamp out irrationality. We need him more than ever—and the good news for Dan is that it’s one resource we won’t run out of any time soon.” - Seth Godin, author of Linchpin

“Once again, Dan Ariely takes us on a funny, fascinating, alarming tour of our own irrational minds. You’ll never look at money, work, romance, revenge, politics, medicine, shopping, or happiness the same way again.” - David Pogue, The New York Times technology columnist

“The Upside of Irrationality is a refreshingly contrarian book that reveals how our irrational selves help us function better and with greater satisfaction. ” - David Macaulay, author of The Way Things Work and The Way We Work

“While our brains are buggy in hundreds of different ways, some of our most irrational quirks play a key role in making our lives rich, satisfying and meaningful. The Upside of Irrationality is largely devoted to these ‘good’ bugs. Based on fascinating original research, the writing is crystal clear, the story-telling endearing, and the mind-shifting implications are, frankly, exhilarating.” - Chis Anderson, TED Curator

“Surprising. . . . Nearly all of Ariely’s experiments are convincing, and his amiable tone is often charming. He also brings a welcome personal aspect to the book, drawing on the story of a tragedy from his youth. . . . He writes perceptively about his excruciating experience to effectively back up various behavioral concepts—such as why some victims of accidents develop a heightened tolerance for pain, while terminal cancer victims do not. Consistently sharp.” - Kirkus Reviews

“Dan Ariely is one of my heroes, as well as being an extraordinary social scientist. The Upside of Irrationality intertwines his fascinating research experiments with his own experience of recovery. From Dan’s story and research, we learn a great deal we did not know about ourselves. As a writer and as a person, Ariely has a magic touch.” - George Akerlof, Nobel Laureate in Economics, 2001

“Everyone who has to make decisions (and has to deal with decisions of others) must read this book.” - Dr. Mehmet Oz, host of The Dr. Oz Show and vice chair and professor of surgery, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center