What can you learn from ‘Nudge’ by Cass Sunstein & Richard Thaler (2009, 312 pages)

Posted by Max on April 12, 2016 in Book reviews, effectiveness, efficiency | Leave a comment

In their book ‘Nudge’, Thaler and Sunstein are among the first to set out the arguments for using behavioural insights to change (‘nudge’) people’s behaviour. By changing the context of a decision, they argue it is possible to reduce unhealthy or undesirable decisions. Their main arguments stem from making sure that choices are presented in a way that appeals to an individual’s System 1 (emotional) thought process. The authors argue that this is more effective than the historic approach of appealing to System 2 (rational) thought process.
While this book provides a good grounding, there are more up-to-date books, such as ‘Switch’ and more tactically useful books, such as ‘Yes!’.

Link to the book on Amazon

Thaler and Sunstein website