Dan Ariely
Born: April 29, 1967 – New York City, New York, United States
Dan Ariely is a leading professor of psychology and behavioral economics at Duke University, renowned for his research on irrational decision-making. He is the author of multiple New York Times bestsellers including Predictably Irrational, The Upside of Irrationality, and The Honest Truth About Dishonesty. His work has influenced business, policy, and popular understanding of human behavior globally.
Biography & Author's Journey
Dan Ariely is an Israeli-American professor, author, and renowned behavioral economist whose trajectory has been shaped by extraordinary personal experiences and rigorous scholarship. Born in New York City in 1967 and raised in Israel, Ariely’s formative years included both intellectual curiosity and resilience. A tragic accident in high school, where he suffered burns to over seventy percent of his body, forced him to endure long, painful treatments. This episode redirected Ariely’s academic focus: moving from physics and mathematics at Tel Aviv University to philosophy, and ultimately to psychology, where he graduated in 1991. He went on to earn a master’s and Ph.D. in cognitive psychology from UNC-Chapel Hill, and later a second Ph.D. in business administration from Duke University, encouraged by Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman.
Quotes
You May Also Like
Popular Books
The Truth About Dishonesty
Dan Ariely
Revealing exploration of human dishonesty through behavioral experiments, challenging our understanding of ethics and decision-making in everyday life.
Predictably Irrational
Dan Ariely
Explores hidden forces shaping our decisions, revealing systematic irrationality in human behavior through engaging experiments and real-world applications.
Irrational Bundle
Dan Ariely
Explore human irrationality and dishonesty through behavioral economics, challenging assumptions about decision-making and ethical behavior in everyday life.
The Upside of Irrationality
Dan Ariely
Explore how irrational behaviors can lead to unexpected benefits in work, relationships, and decision-making through engaging experiments and insights.
Dollars and Sense
Dan Ariely and Jeff Kreisler
Challenging financial assumptions with humor and behavioral economics to make smarter money choices.
The Truth About Dishonesty
Dan Ariely
Revealing exploration of human dishonesty through behavioral experiments, challenging our understanding of ethics and decision-making in everyday life.
Predictably Irrational
Dan Ariely
Explores hidden forces shaping our decisions, revealing systematic irrationality in human behavior through engaging experiments and real-world applications.
Irrational Bundle
Dan Ariely
Explore human irrationality and dishonesty through behavioral economics, challenging assumptions about decision-making and ethical behavior in everyday life.
The Upside of Irrationality
Dan Ariely
Explore how irrational behaviors can lead to unexpected benefits in work, relationships, and decision-making through engaging experiments and insights.
Discover more
Master behavioral economics
Master behavioral economics
Behavioral economics has revolutionized how we understand human decision-making, revealing that people consistently make predictable errors in judgment that traditional economics cannot explain. This learning plan is essential for professionals in business, policy, marketing, product design, and leadership roles who want to understand what truly drives human behavior and how to design systems that lead to better outcomes. Whether you're optimizing user experiences, crafting policies, developing marketing strategies, or simply seeking to make better decisions yourself, mastering these principles provides a powerful competitive advantage.
Study Econ, Behavioral Science & Psychology
Study Econ, Behavioral Science & Psychology
This plan bridges the gap between traditional economic theory and the reality of human irrationality. It is essential for professionals, policymakers, and curious minds looking to master the hidden drivers of social and market behavior.
Human behavior
Human behavior
Understanding the hidden drivers of human nature is essential for navigating social dynamics and making smarter personal choices. This plan is ideal for leaders, marketers, or anyone looking to master behavioral psychology and improve their interpersonal influence.
Love, Money & Behavioral Science
Love, Money & Behavioral Science
This learning plan bridges the gap between human emotion and rational choice, offering a deep dive into the hidden forces that govern our hearts and wallets. It is ideal for anyone looking to break self-sabotaging patterns in their personal life and financial future through the lens of behavioral science.
Master psychology and influence for success
Master psychology and influence for success
Understanding the psychological drivers of behavior is essential for navigating modern professional and social landscapes. This plan is designed for leaders, negotiators, and individuals looking to enhance their interpersonal impact through science-backed persuasion and emotional intelligence.
Learn psychology, neuroscience & economics
Learn psychology, neuroscience & economics
This interdisciplinary curriculum bridges the gap between biological brain function and market dynamics to explain the mechanics of human choice. It is ideal for professionals in finance, marketing, or social sciences seeking to leverage behavioral insights for strategic decision-making.
Decode Human Nature for Business Success
Decode Human Nature for Business Success
Understanding the psychological drivers of behavior is the ultimate competitive advantage in modern commerce. This learning plan is designed for leaders and entrepreneurs who want to master decision-making, persuasion, and emotional intelligence to drive better business outcomes.
Explore Mind, Society, Finance & Innovation
Explore Mind, Society, Finance & Innovation
This interdisciplinary plan is essential for individuals looking to understand the hidden forces driving modern life, from cognitive biases to market fluctuations. It is ideal for aspiring leaders, investors, and lifelong learners who want to master the intersection of psychology, economics, and technology.
Community Voices
"Dan Ariely is the James B. Duke Professor of Psychology and Behavioral Economics at Duke University"
— 42courses.com
"Dan Ariely is a popular figure in behavioral economics known for his unique approach to understanding human behavior and decision-making"
— 42courses.com
"Dan Ariely, professor of psychology and behavioral economics, says we can all be more aware of our surroundings and our decision-making process"
— Farnam Street
"Dan Ariely is known for his best-selling books and popular TED Talks about the quirks of human nature"
— 42courses.com
"Dan Ariely holds a PhD in cognitive psychology from the University of North Carolina and a PhD in business administration from Duke University"
— 42courses.com
"Dan Ariely is the best-selling author of The Upside of Irrationality and Predictably Irrational"
— Farnam Street
"Dan Ariely is the author of three New York Times bestselling books: Predictably Irrational, The Upside of Irrationality, and The Honest Truth about Dishonesty"
— Wikipedia
"Dan Ariely's book Predictably Irrational exposes the predictable patterns behind seemingly irrational human behavior"
— 42courses.com
"Dan Ariely's research refutes the common assumption that we behave in fundamentally rational ways"
— Audible.com
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
