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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.


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


The Economics of Love
In my last article I focussed on the economics of dating. Here, we are going to go deeper, into the economics of love. Because that is...

Merle van den Akker
Feb 14, 20197 min read


The Economics of Dating
Just in time for Valentine’s day, I am writing this article title the Economics of Dating. It doesn’t matter whether you currently are in...

Merle van den Akker
Feb 11, 20197 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


Education: Netherlands vs. UK
After outlining my own academic journey and having explained my move from the Netherlands to the United Kingdom, I was asked what the...

Merle van den Akker
Jan 25, 20195 min read


Managing Time in a PhD
One thing that is often heralded as the biggest benefits of a PhD is its flexibility. There are no real set working hours. This can be...

Merle van den Akker
Jan 22, 20196 min read
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