A Course in Behavioral Economics

by Erik Angner

This textbook looks at decisions – how we make them, and what makes them good or bad. In this bestselling introduction, Erik Angner clearly lays out the theory of behavioral economics and explains the intuitions behind it. The book offers a rich tapestry of examples, exercises, and problems drawn from fields such as economics, management, marketing, political science, and public policy. It shows how to apply the principles of behavioral economics to improve your life and work – and to make the world a better place to boot. No advanced mathematics is required.

This is an ideal textbook for students coming to behavioral economics from various fields. It can be used on its own in introductory courses, or in combination with other texts at advanced undergraduate and postgraduate levels. It is equally suitable for general readers who have been captivated by popular-science books on behavioral economics and want to know more about this intriguing subject.

New to this
- An updated chapter on behavioral policy and the nudge agenda.
- Several new sections, for example on the economics of happiness.
- Updated examples and exercises, with an expanded answer key
- Refreshed ancillary resources make for a plug and play experience for instructors teaching behavioral economics for the first time.

Genres: Economics, Psychology, Nonfiction, Reference

352 pages, Paperback

First published May 8, 2012

About the author

Erik is a philosopher and economist based at Stockholm University. As a result of mission creep, he has two PhD's, one in philosophy and one in economics – both from the University of Pittsburgh. He is author, most recently, of How Economics Can Save the World: Simple Ideas to Solve Our Biggest Problems. He lives in Stockholm with his wife and their three children.

Reviews

[oliwka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good explanations but i don’t like when authors of course books are intentionally trying to be funny and resonate with students through jokes that are not particularly funny.

[Joris Gillet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Been reading a couple of the most popular behavioural economics textbooks recently (am teaching a undergraduate module on the topic next year) and this is by far my favourite. Clear and to the point but at the same time also much more thorough than all the pop.science behavioural econ books but also not too technical. Lots of good exercises in the body of the text. Like the approach where two chapters in a row each cover the same topic: first the traditional economic way, secondly using a behavioural economics lense.

[julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Albert Einstein is sometimes quoted as having said that compound
interest is one of the most powerful forces in the universe. This would
have been a wonderful quotation, had he actually said it, which there is no
evidence that he did.'

good book

[Vickie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gives good examples of behavior pertaining to economics!

[Kendall Estep · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for my behavioral economics class

[Azatuhy Khachatrian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent choice of words, interesting and entertaining examples and exercises. Got pleasure while reading.

[Lubomir Christoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

A logically organized, non-trivial introductory text

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Course in Behavioral Economics delves into Kahneman and others research to provide a handbook on the youthful new discipline of behavioral economics. Complete with examples and problems, Angner creates a tool for the use and application of the new social science into real world application. If any book has revealed the desperate need for an economics and finance woven with psychology, this book has done so egregiously and with authority.

Book review at www.blackgolddisease.com/bookshelf.html

[Helena Brennan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting topic that challenges the standard economic theory of rationality