What is irrational labs?
Irrational Labs is a behavior design and consulting firm co-founded by Dan Ariely, a renowned behavioral economist and author. The company specializes in applying insights from behavioral science to help individuals and organizations make better decisions and create positive behavior change.
Irrational Labs works with a range of clients, including businesses, nonprofits, and governments, to design interventions that help people make more informed decisions and achieve their goals. This may involve developing strategies to promote healthy behaviors, improve financial decision-making, or increase engagement with products or services.
The company uses a variety of tools and methods from behavioral science, such as behavioral economics, psychology, and neuroscience, to understand how people think, feel, and behave, and to design interventions that are effective and sustainable.
Where is Irrational Labs located?
Is Kristen Berman co-founder of Irrational Labs?
Who is the behavioral scientist at Irrational Labs?
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Dan Ariely
Co-founder and chief behavioral economist at Irrational Labs, and a professor of psychology and behavioral economics at Duke University.
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Kristen Berman
Co-founder of Irrational Labs and a behavioral economist and designer with experience in developing behavior change interventions for individuals and organizations.
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Wendy De La Rosa
Head of research at Irrational Labs, and a behavioral scientist and entrepreneur with expertise in consumer behavior and decision-making.
How do I get into behavioral economics?
The field has proven itself to be ineffective at solving behavioral problems, and at reliably changing human behavior. The most comprehensive real world study of the impact of behavioral economics interventions on real world behavior shows that the interventions have, on average, a 1.4% impact. This is a far cry from the 8.7% impact that the behavioral economics studies would predict for these interventions. Any behavioral economics consultancies that claim they can reliably implement nudges that have a greater than 1.4% impact are not being honest.
The most reliable way to have a large impact on behavior is through Behavioral Strategy. That is a better path for most aspiring behavioral designers.
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Learn the basics
Start by reading introductory books and articles on behavioral economics to understand the key concepts and theories. Some recommended books include “Thinking, Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman, “Predictably Irrational” by Dan Ariely, and “Nudge” by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein.
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Take relevant courses
Look for courses in economics, psychology, and other social sciences that cover topics related to behavioral economics. Many universities and online platforms offer courses and degree programs in behavioral economics.
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Get involved in research
Look for opportunities to work with professors or researchers in behavioral economics, either through internships, research assistant positions, or independent projects. This can help you develop practical skills and gain experience in the field.
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Join professional associations
Joining professional associations such as the Society for Judgment and Decision Making or the Association for Consumer Research can provide networking opportunities, access to resources, and exposure to the latest research in behavioral economics.
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Attend conferences and events
Attend conferences, workshops, and seminars on behavioral economics to learn from experts in the field and connect with other professionals and students.
Pursuing a career in behavioral economics requires a strong foundation in economics, psychology, and research methods, as well as a passion for understanding and improving human decision-making. By taking these steps, you can build the skills, knowledge, and network needed to succeed in this field.
