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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 Fail Properly
Failure, it’s the one thing we try to avoid like the plague. We try to avoid it to the extent it causes us anxiety, pain, sleepless...
Merle van den Akker
Dec 7, 20185 min read
Fear of Failure
In my previous post I outlined how there has been a trend towards glorifying “the struggle.” Part of this, I think, has been driven by...
Merle van den Akker
Dec 3, 20184 min read
The Dangers of Continuously Struggling
There seems to be a consensus as to what people find inspiring: struggles and overcoming them. It is great to look to people who have...
Merle van den Akker
Nov 30, 20184 min read
Nudging yourself to Success!
Do you think being aware of all your biases and heuristics is enough? Do you think awareness of them will change your inability to stick...
Merle van den Akker
Nov 23, 20187 min read
From Nudge to Sludge
In the previous post I outlined the basic premise of nudging, and examplified it. The examples are well-known throughout academic...
Merle van den Akker
Nov 12, 20184 min read
What is Nudge?
Nudging is a very popular concept with behavioural economics. There is a lot of research on it. Famous books have been written about it....
Merle van den Akker
Nov 8, 20184 min read
My First PhD Study: Contactless
There is a reason I was so keen on writing a series about payment methods and the pain of paying. This is what my own PhD research is...
Merle van den Akker
Nov 3, 20184 min read
No News is Good News
Previously, Alina dove into how we search and judge information. We prefer to listen to someone we identify with, or someone we deem...
Merle van den Akker
Oct 29, 20186 min read
Imposter Syndrome
In my article about my experiences as a teacher, I have already outlined that most of the time I don’t feel necessarily adequate enough...
Merle van den Akker
Oct 25, 20184 min read
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