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Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science pp 1–8Cite as

Behavioral Economics

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Definition

Behavioral economics is conventionally defined as economic theory that incorporates insights from contemporary psychology, cognitive science, cultural theory, human physiology/emotional states, and neuroscience. However, the term “behavioral economics” can be seen as potentially subversive because it can be taken to suggest that the remainder of economics is nonbehavioral and – by implication – excessively abstract and therefore partially inaccurate.

Introduction

This entry will first provide an account of the nature and scope of behavioral economics as it was outlined by one of its founding fathers, George Katona. This entry will then go on to discuss the work of four very important more recent behavioral economists – Daniel Kahneman, Amos Tversky, Richard Thaler, and Vernon Smith – in more detail. Following this, in the latter part of the entry, it will consider the consequences of some ideas developed by evolutionary psychologists and biologists for the nature of...

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Independent Scholar, London, UK

    Vincent Barnett

Authors
  1. Vincent Barnett
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Correspondence to Vincent Barnett .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA

    Todd K. Shackelford

  2. Rochester, MI, USA

    Viviana A. Weekes-Shackelford

Section Editor information

  1. Department of Psychology, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA

    Guilherme S. Lopes

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Barnett, V. (2019). Behavioral Economics. In: Shackelford, T., Weekes-Shackelford, V. (eds) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_2806-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_2806-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-16999-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-16999-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Behavioral Science and PsychologyReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences

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