The elements of choice: why the way we decide matters Eric J. Johnson, Oneworld Publications (10 Feb. 2022)

Abstract

While creating unprecedented challenges for societies writ large, the past few years have also been a remarkable era for landmark boost in the writing of value to behavioral scientists. This has occurred through broad media coverage of behavioral policies, new textbooks proliferating along with a growing number of higher education courses on the subject, and increased recognition in government and science. Without a doubt, it is clearly a period of visibility in the field. The Elements of Choice: Why the Way We Decide Matters, Eric Johnson’s long-awaited magnum opus from 2021, is perfectly suited for its time, giving us two missing aspects from that growing literature base: the “elements” and the “why”. Elements gives readers not only the major ideas of decision science from the past few centuries but breaks down our understanding of the reasons behind choices in a way few books have – methodically, emotionally, and comprehensively.