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Behavioural Insights
Thoughtful analysis of how psychology shapes financial behaviour, spending habits, and long term decision making, translating academic research into practical insights that help individuals make smarter, more intentional financial choices.


How to make Stress Work: Adrenaline Explained
Stress seems to be the most common denominator that we have with each other. We all experience stress, very likely on a daily basis. Our...

Merle van den Akker
Feb 25, 20194 min read


Are you Happy yet? Serotonin Explained
In my last article about oxytocin I mentioned that increasing the release and uptake of this hormone turned neurotransmitter helps combat...

Merle van den Akker
Feb 21, 20196 min read


My Brain Loves You, I Don't: Oxytocin Explained
Valentine’s day made me do it: write my last two articles about dating and love. It even made me interrupt my series on Neuroeconomics!...

Merle van den Akker
Feb 18, 20194 min read


Does time really fly when having Fun?
They say that times flies when we’re having fun. And from all personal experiences, this seems to hold true. When bored, annoyed or just...

Merle van den Akker
Feb 7, 20194 min read


Do you want to play a Game?
If you’ve read the previous article on the functions of dopamine, you should now have a basic understanding of why our brain likes it so...

Merle van den Akker
Feb 4, 20196 min read


Dopamine: the Brain's favourite Drug
When trying to explain neuroeconomics to someone, what you’re really trying to do is explain how the brain works, with regards to some...

Merle van den Akker
Jan 31, 20196 min read


Money on the Brain: Neuroeconomics
I have mentioned Neuroeconomics a couple of times on this blog already. I have reviewed the module in the MSc Behavioural and Economic...

Merle van den Akker
Jan 28, 20196 min read


Buying for your Ideal Self
As the New Year comes round, and we make ourselves a whole list of resolutions, we tend to also purchase products to fit our new...

Merle van den Akker
Jan 2, 20194 min read


New Year! New Me?
Congratulations for making it to 2019! 2018 was quite the year for you. You have done so much, gone through so much and reached quite a...

Merle van den Akker
Dec 31, 20184 min read
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