Predictably Irrational

Humans are supposed to be the thinking species. The planet's creature of logic. Yet all of literature and abundant human experience tell us otherwise.

Now, a new work of behavioral economics looks at how dependably goofy we humans can be. How "predictably irrational," whether we're standing at the all-you-can-eat buffet, or fingering our credit card or getting naked at Mardi Gras.

"We are pawns in a game whose forces we fail to comprehend" says MIT's Daniel Ariely.

This hour, On Point: context, expectation, emotion — and the predictably irrational way of the human species.Guest:

Dan Ariely, behavioral economist at MIT and author of "Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions."