In this episode Garth interviews Dan Ariely from Duke University in Durham, NC. Dan shares insights on motivation, fairness in the workplace, and the importance of subjective measures in understanding human interactions. He elaborates on his work during the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges he faced, including receiving death threats. He emphasizes the role of empathy and understanding in dealing with misbeliefs and polarizing behavior. He also discusses the importance of gratitude, making the invisible visible, and creating more conducive environments for human motivation. The episode concludes with Dan’s reflections on the importance of social science in addressing current global challenges.

[Note. Portions of the show notes were generated by Descript AI.]

Statement from Duke University

April 2 2024

About the investigation of my work

Dear friends, partners, and colleagues:

After almost three years, Duke University recently concluded its investigation into my conduct as an academic and researcher. The Investigation Committee assembled by Duke’s administration looked thoroughly at my work and found no evidence to support claims that I falsified data or knowingly used falsified data in general and specifically as coauthor of a 2012 paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The Investigation Committee determined that I should have done more to prevent faulty data from being published in the 2012 paper. Hindsight is 20/20, and upon much reflection, indeed there were extra steps I could have taken to prevent such data from being published. I appreciate the opportunity to learn from this experience, and I would like to reaffirm my commitment to ensuring that my research methodologies at the Center for Advanced Hindsight remain in lockstep with values of integrity, transparency, and accuracy.

I am happy to say I’ve put this matter behind me and resumed my work at Duke at full speed. To my dear friends and colleagues: Thank you for your continued support.

With all my love and enthusiasm for what lies ahead,

Dan

Replications of the 2012 study in question:

"How Pledges Reduce Dishonesty: The Role of Involvement and Identification"

Paper: https://tinyurl.com/ycpumrtk

Video discussion with some of the co-authors of the paper https://youtu.be/B_AbAJHRw54

"I Solemnly Swear I’m Up To Good: A Megastudy Investigating the Effectiveness of Honesty Oaths on Curbing Dishonesty":

Paper: https://tinyurl.com/53mbn5ws

Video discussion with a co-author of the paper: https://youtu.be/AjQ58irCZGg

E228: Dan Ariely: Behavioral economics, ...