“Most people can suppress counterfactual thoughts before they spin too far down a spiral, those who suffer from clinical depression may not be able to. When a student who didn't study much does badly on an exam, he could take… — Barry Schwartz Copy Share Image
“The fact that counterfactual thinking seems to hone in on the controllable aspects of a situation only increases the chances that a person will experience regret when engaging in counterfactual thinking.” — Barry Schwartz Copy Share Image
When you rely on incentives, you undermine virtues. Then when you discover that you actually need people who want to do the right thing,… — Barry Schwartz Copy Share Image
“Emotions properly trained and modulated, Aristotle told his readers, are essential to being practically wise: We can experience fear, confidence, desire, anger, pity, and… — Barry Schwartz Copy Share Image
“When asked about what they regret most in the last six months, people tend to identify actions that didn’t meet expectations. But when asked… — Barry Schwartz Copy Share Image
“If society asks more of us, and arranges its social institutions appropriately, it will get more.” — Barry Schwartz Copy Share Image
Years of research in psychology has shown that rewards and punishments can be very effective in changing behavior. But, at the same time, they… — Barry Schwartz Copy Share Image
“Being able to criticize our own certainties is often a painful struggle, demanding some courage as we try to stand back and impartially judge… — Barry Schwartz Copy Share Image
“According to standard economic assumptions, the only opportunity costs that should figure into a decision are the ones associated with the next-best alternative.” — Barry Schwartz Copy Share Image
“We give disproportionate weight to whether yogurt is said to be five percent fat or 95 percent fat free. People seem to think that… — Barry Schwartz Copy Share Image
Too little attention is paid to the dark side of incentives. They are anything but a magic bullet. Psychologists have known this for years,… — Barry Schwartz Copy Share Image
“Focus on what makes you happy, and do what gives meaning to your life” — Barry Schwartz Copy Share Image
How much does it really matter whether your child will soon be enjoying a first year at Harvard or Yale or will instead end… — Barry Schwartz Copy Share Image
What I look for in any book is an argument, based on evidence, that changes the way I think about something important. — Barry Schwartz Copy Share Image
