The first misconception is that it is possible to avoid…

““The first misconception is that it is possible to avoid influencing people’s choices.””

Richard H. Thaler

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

People cannot avoid influencing others’ choices; influence is inevitable and often subtle.

In simple terms: Influence is unavoidable.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and responsibly manage your influence.

Themes

influence choice behavior ethics

Mood

reflective analytical

Type

philosophical practical

When to use this quote

marketing
public policy
personal relationships

Key Concepts

behavioral economics psychology policy

Questions to Reflect On

How do you ensure your influence is ethical?
When is influencing others justified?

A Different Perspective

Assuming neutrality can hide bias.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

Influencing people Misconception

More by Richard H. Thaler

“10. Calories count in New York City. The Big Apple recently adopted a law that requires fast-food restaurants with at least fifteen outlets in…

Richard H. Thaler

“I began to have deviant thoughts about economic theory while I was a graduate student”

Richard H. Thaler

“specific values to objects. When they have to give something up, they are hurt more than they are pleased if they acquire the very…

Richard H. Thaler

“Hundreds of studies confirm that human forecasts are flawed and biased. Human decision making is not so great either. Again to take just one…

Richard H. Thaler

“John Rawls (1971) called the publicity principle. In its simplest form, the publicity principle bans government from selecting a policy that it would not…

Richard H. Thaler

“Our principal claim here is that patients and doctors should be free to make their own agreements about that right. If patients want to…

Richard H. Thaler

“We are also greatly influenced by consumption norms within the relevant group. A light eater eats much more in a group of heavy eaters.…

Richard H. Thaler

“People think about life in terms of changes, not levels.”

Richard H. Thaler

“predictions can’t vary more than the thing being forecast.”

Richard H. Thaler

“When in a cold state, we do not appreciate how much our desires and our behavior will be altered when we are “under the…

Richard H. Thaler

“Bargains and Rip-Offs”

Richard H. Thaler

“you want to nudge people into socially desirable behavior, do not, by any means, let them know that their current actions are better than…

Richard H. Thaler

“A nudge, as we will use the term, is any aspect of the choice architecture that alters people’s behavior in a predictable way without…

Richard H. Thaler

“What makes the bias particularly pernicious is that we all recognize this bias in others but not in ourselves.”

Richard H. Thaler

“people who are threatened with big losses and have a chance to break even will be unusually willing to take risks,”

Richard H. Thaler

Explore all 84 Richard H. Thaler quotes

More Influencing quotes

One of the surest ways of making a friend and influencing the opinion of another is to give consideration to his opinion, to let…

Dale Carnegie

God's Word must be so strongly fixed in our minds that it becomes the dominant influence in our thoughts, our attitudes, and our actions.…

Jerry Bridges

Deterrence is still fundamentally about influencing an actor's decisions. It is about a solid policy foundation. It is about credible capabilities. It is about…

C. Robert Kehler

Leadership is not about titles, positions or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.

Anonymous

“Each day you are leading by example. Whether you realize it or not or whether it's positive or negative, you are influencing those around…

Rob Liano

This is more in regards to celebrities. What we've got to understand is that we are the influencers of the hip-hop culture, the black…

Demetrius Shipp, Jr

To be effective at selling ideas, at being a lobbyist, influencing other people, you have to be very sure of yourself.

Duncan Green

Influencing people is dangerous. Their acts and thoughts become your illegitimate children. You can't get away from them and Heaven knows what they mayn't…

Elizabeth Bibesco