Reading Assignment

ISS305: Reading Diary Questions Module #2

4 Total Questions Q1: Market vs. Social Norms [40 points] Ariely discusses in detail how market and social norms influence our everyday lives. We behave in certain ways and make decisions in order to uphold these norms. For this question, we want you to examine your career choice in light of these market and social norms. First, describe the career you plan to go into. Why did you choose this career? Can you identify any social or market norms which influenced you in making this choice? Have you broken any market or social norms in choosing this career? And if so, how was that received? Now think of an example in your work history where your employer was unable to balance market and social norms. What happened? How did it make you feel as an employee? Finally, suppose you could have your dream job, how could that job balance market and social norms in a way that made you the happiest, and most productive employee? Q2: Your Dr. Jekyll vs. Mr. Hyde [40 points] Ariely states that despite how “good” we might think we are, we underpredict what will happen when we are in a heightened state of passion. Do you agree with this? Think of a time that you behaved in a manner which was entirely unlike yourself (or someone you know). Describe the situation. (Note: Please kindly avoid using an example which is graphic, a la Ariely’s experiment in Chapter 6…) What happened that made you feel that you were not acting as yourself? Did anyone notice that you were not yourself? And if so, how did you explain your actions? How do you feel looking back at this situation now? Have you taken any steps to avoid putting yourself into a similar situation? Finally, can you think of any things you might do to protect yourself from yourself, were you to be in this heightened state again? Q3: Procrastination and You [30 points] How might Ariely’s insights into procrastination help you to achieve your long-term goals? Think of two long-term goals that you haven’t yet met but might have met by now had you done something differently. What are these goals, and why are they important to you? What has so far gotten in the way of achieving them? What might you do to break this cycle of procrastination? That is, what kinds of incentives might you give yourself to make real progress toward your goals and finally achieve them?

Q4: Day-to-Day Probability [40 points] Wheelan’s discussions of probability and its abuses seem to reflect something that Ariely ought to agree with: as much sense as probability makes, and as much as it impacts our lives each day, we don’t seem to think in terms of probability as much as we ought to in order to be rational, and, even when we do, we’re not all that good at it. For this question we would like you to do some research on an irrational fear you have. First, describe your irrational fear. How long have you had it? Were you always afraid of it? Now, see if you can find information about the probability that your fear would occur. Does the probability of your fear’s occurrence make you feel more or less afraid of it? Now we would like you to think about something you do daily that carries some inherent risk. Look up and describe the probability that something bad might happen when doing this activity. What differences are there between your irrational fear’s probability and your daily activity probability? Why do you suppose you fear one more than the other?