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

Dan Ariely, PhD
HarperCollins Publishers, 2010

Have you ever tried to change a bad habit?  Do you smoke even though you know it is harmful to your health, or have a tendency of going against the doctor’s suggestions because you think you know yourself better than they do?  Well, you are not the only one, and you do have something in common with the author, Dr. Dan Ariely, which is the belief that one must always do what is in their own personal best interest, even if it means going against the grain.

Dr. Ariely’s takes us on a revolutionary journey to better understand what persuades us to behave the way we do.  Whether it is in our office chair, at home of the couch, or in the doctor’s office, there is irrationality to our thinking and behavior.  He is able to provide readers an inside, frame by frame look, at his career’s work of experimentation in regard to human behavior. It is through these narrations of events and observing those involved, that he is able to find the reasons for our irrationality. You may wonder how he came to this conclusion, but you will need to read the book to find out.  One thing is for certain, you will be shocked at the revelations you will find.

This book was not written for the purpose of being another self-help piece on a bookstore shelf.  Dr. Ariely’s vision is for his readers to explore themselves and their best interest in a way that is atypical, so the individual can make changes to benefit their health and life.  The goal is not to emphasize your flaws, but to bring to light both positive and negative “quirks” that you possess.  As these behaviors are brought to the surface, you will begin your personal journey to eliminate the bad behavior and build on the good.  Losing weight, quitting smoking, exercising, and better sleep all deserve your thoughts as you read Dr. Ariely’s book.