Ayelet Fishbach
@ayeletfishbach.bsky.social
Eric J. Gleacher Distinguished Service Professor of Behavioral Science and Marketing at the University of Chicago
New Book Alert! 📘
How do our minds turn life’s chaos into something that makes sense? Our upcoming book explores the science of psychological meaning.
I hope you preorder and let your future self thank you for finding meaning. @guilfordpress.bsky.social
www.guilford.com/books/The-Ps...
How do our minds turn life’s chaos into something that makes sense? Our upcoming book explores the science of psychological meaning.
I hope you preorder and let your future self thank you for finding meaning. @guilfordpress.bsky.social
www.guilford.com/books/The-Ps...
The Psychological Quest for Meaning
How do we transform scattered experiences into a coherent narrative? What drives us—consciously or unconsciously—to seek patterns, purpose, and understanding? This is the first volume explicitly devot...
www.guilford.com
September 19, 2025 at 7:59 PM
New Book Alert! 📘
How do our minds turn life’s chaos into something that makes sense? Our upcoming book explores the science of psychological meaning.
I hope you preorder and let your future self thank you for finding meaning. @guilfordpress.bsky.social
www.guilford.com/books/The-Ps...
How do our minds turn life’s chaos into something that makes sense? Our upcoming book explores the science of psychological meaning.
I hope you preorder and let your future self thank you for finding meaning. @guilfordpress.bsky.social
www.guilford.com/books/The-Ps...
Reposted by Ayelet Fishbach
Check out a new @psychscience.bsky.social article by @ayeletfishbach.bsky.social and collaborators: People were more likely to stick with goals framed as enjoyable—not just important. People used a health app more when told it was “a fun game” rather than “a useful tool.”
bit.ly/4obM70Y
bit.ly/4obM70Y
August 14, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Check out a new @psychscience.bsky.social article by @ayeletfishbach.bsky.social and collaborators: People were more likely to stick with goals framed as enjoyable—not just important. People used a health app more when told it was “a fun game” rather than “a useful tool.”
bit.ly/4obM70Y
bit.ly/4obM70Y
Reposted by Ayelet Fishbach
Year-long longitudinal study by Woolley et al suggests intrinsic motivation (more than extrinsic motivation) both predicted, and causally increased, goal adherence for professional, financial, and health goals:
buff.ly/uyALjnX
via coauthor @ayeletfishbach.bsky.social
buff.ly/uyALjnX
via coauthor @ayeletfishbach.bsky.social
July 23, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Year-long longitudinal study by Woolley et al suggests intrinsic motivation (more than extrinsic motivation) both predicted, and causally increased, goal adherence for professional, financial, and health goals:
buff.ly/uyALjnX
via coauthor @ayeletfishbach.bsky.social
buff.ly/uyALjnX
via coauthor @ayeletfishbach.bsky.social
Reposted by Ayelet Fishbach
In a new article by Jiabi Wang & Team Scientist @ayeletfishbach.bsky.social, they find that helping people connect their goals can increase motivation. When people linked a health goal (like exercising more) to a financial one, they expressed more motivation to pursue it.
bit.ly/44KGaze
bit.ly/44KGaze
bit.ly
July 24, 2025 at 1:44 PM
In a new article by Jiabi Wang & Team Scientist @ayeletfishbach.bsky.social, they find that helping people connect their goals can increase motivation. When people linked a health goal (like exercising more) to a financial one, they expressed more motivation to pursue it.
bit.ly/44KGaze
bit.ly/44KGaze
Big news in social psych!
The Handbook of Social Psychology just dropped its 6th edition. For the first time ever, it’s FREE.
The first version was in 1954. The 2025 version is open-access. No paywalls. No barriers. Just decades of wisdom, ready to be read, downloaded, and shared.
www.the-HSP.com
The Handbook of Social Psychology just dropped its 6th edition. For the first time ever, it’s FREE.
The first version was in 1954. The 2025 version is open-access. No paywalls. No barriers. Just decades of wisdom, ready to be read, downloaded, and shared.
www.the-HSP.com
May 21, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Big news in social psych!
The Handbook of Social Psychology just dropped its 6th edition. For the first time ever, it’s FREE.
The first version was in 1954. The 2025 version is open-access. No paywalls. No barriers. Just decades of wisdom, ready to be read, downloaded, and shared.
www.the-HSP.com
The Handbook of Social Psychology just dropped its 6th edition. For the first time ever, it’s FREE.
The first version was in 1954. The 2025 version is open-access. No paywalls. No barriers. Just decades of wisdom, ready to be read, downloaded, and shared.
www.the-HSP.com
Math is hard
Opinion | Why Trump’s Tariff Math Is a Joke
A look inside the administration’s methodology is a real eye-opener.
www.nytimes.com
April 7, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Math is hard
Shige Oishi just dropped by my office with his new book Life in Three Dimensions—and I’m excited to dive in!
Shige’s been challenging us to think beyond the pursuit of happiness. What about meaning? What about a psychologically rich life? Turns out, there’s more to life than just feeling good
Shige’s been challenging us to think beyond the pursuit of happiness. What about meaning? What about a psychologically rich life? Turns out, there’s more to life than just feeling good
March 25, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Shige Oishi just dropped by my office with his new book Life in Three Dimensions—and I’m excited to dive in!
Shige’s been challenging us to think beyond the pursuit of happiness. What about meaning? What about a psychologically rich life? Turns out, there’s more to life than just feeling good
Shige’s been challenging us to think beyond the pursuit of happiness. What about meaning? What about a psychologically rich life? Turns out, there’s more to life than just feeling good
The Onion jokes that RFK Jr. wants measles deaths so common people stop caring. Funny—but also how our brains work. When a crisis affects many, people assume it’s less harmful. The logic? If it’s everywhere, surely someone’s handling it. Spoiler: They’re not. theonion.com/rfk-jr-vows-...
RFK Jr. Vows To Make Measles Deaths So Common They Won’t Be Upsetting Anymore
WASHINGTON—Addressing the ongoing outbreak in Texas that has infected at least 124 state residents and killed one child, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. vowed Thursday to mak...
theonion.com
March 6, 2025 at 9:26 PM
The Onion jokes that RFK Jr. wants measles deaths so common people stop caring. Funny—but also how our brains work. When a crisis affects many, people assume it’s less harmful. The logic? If it’s everywhere, surely someone’s handling it. Spoiler: They’re not. theonion.com/rfk-jr-vows-...
🚨 Is the peer review system broken? Our new PNAS paper dives into the biases, inefficiencies, and inconsistencies plaguing scientific publishing. Can transparency, training, and AI fix it? Evolution or revolution for peer review?
🔗 Read more: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
@balazsaczel.bsky.social
🔗 Read more: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
@balazsaczel.bsky.social
PNAS
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), a peer reviewed journal of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) - an authoritative source of high-impact, original research that broadly spans...
www.pnas.org
February 12, 2025 at 4:53 PM
🚨 Is the peer review system broken? Our new PNAS paper dives into the biases, inefficiencies, and inconsistencies plaguing scientific publishing. Can transparency, training, and AI fix it? Evolution or revolution for peer review?
🔗 Read more: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
@balazsaczel.bsky.social
🔗 Read more: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
@balazsaczel.bsky.social
🚨 New Paper Alert! 🚨
How should scientists decide what to replicate & how? Our latest article explores:
🔍 Book of Truths vs. Book of Conversations – What's the purpose of replication?
📊 Balancing epistemic values, public trust & transparency.
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/... @clintin.bsky.social
How should scientists decide what to replicate & how? Our latest article explores:
🔍 Book of Truths vs. Book of Conversations – What's the purpose of replication?
📊 Balancing epistemic values, public trust & transparency.
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/... @clintin.bsky.social
PNAS
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), a peer reviewed journal of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) - an authoritative source of high-impact, original research that broadly spans...
www.pnas.org
February 3, 2025 at 8:38 PM
🚨 New Paper Alert! 🚨
How should scientists decide what to replicate & how? Our latest article explores:
🔍 Book of Truths vs. Book of Conversations – What's the purpose of replication?
📊 Balancing epistemic values, public trust & transparency.
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/... @clintin.bsky.social
How should scientists decide what to replicate & how? Our latest article explores:
🔍 Book of Truths vs. Book of Conversations – What's the purpose of replication?
📊 Balancing epistemic values, public trust & transparency.
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/... @clintin.bsky.social
📢 Academic publishing should serve knowledge, not profits. But commercial publishers exploit the system—leveraging unpaid labor, imposing paywalls, and charging high fees. 🚧
We explore alternative models & reforms to realign publishing with academia’s true mission.
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
We explore alternative models & reforms to realign publishing with academia’s true mission.
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
The misalignment of incentives in academic publishing and implications for journal reform | PNAS
For most researchers, academic publishing serves two goals that are often misaligned—knowledge
dissemination and establishing scientific credential...
www.pnas.org
January 31, 2025 at 5:27 PM
📢 Academic publishing should serve knowledge, not profits. But commercial publishers exploit the system—leveraging unpaid labor, imposing paywalls, and charging high fees. 🚧
We explore alternative models & reforms to realign publishing with academia’s true mission.
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
We explore alternative models & reforms to realign publishing with academia’s true mission.
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Which scientific results should be replicated? Our new PNAS suggests the decision depends on whether you subscribe to “the book of truth” or “book of conversation” @pnas.org @clintin.bsky.social
Now out in PNAS, we provide a conceptual framework for assessing replication decisions and replication reform.
Do you view the scientific literature as a "book of truths" or a "book of conversations"?
www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1...
#philsci #science #SciSci #Metascience
Do you view the scientific literature as a "book of truths" or a "book of conversations"?
www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1...
#philsci #science #SciSci #Metascience
PNAS
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), a peer reviewed journal of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) - an authoritative source of high-impact, original research that broadly spans...
www.pnas.org
January 28, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Which scientific results should be replicated? Our new PNAS suggests the decision depends on whether you subscribe to “the book of truth” or “book of conversation” @pnas.org @clintin.bsky.social
Just because something is common doesn’t mean it won’t cause you harm. Thank you @nytimes.com and Peter coy for writing about our research.
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/27/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/27/o...
Opinion | Why Common Problems Are Often Worse Than We Realize
It’s called the “big problem paradox.”
www.nytimes.com
January 28, 2025 at 1:15 AM
Just because something is common doesn’t mean it won’t cause you harm. Thank you @nytimes.com and Peter coy for writing about our research.
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/27/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/27/o...
Looking for a postdoc position? We'd love to chat with you!
We have three positions. Each involves working with the faculty at Chicago Booth. First: Chief Scientist
uchicago.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Extern...
Send recommendations to Amy Boonstra, amy.boonstra@chicagobooth.edu.
We have three positions. Each involves working with the faculty at Chicago Booth. First: Chief Scientist
uchicago.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Extern...
Send recommendations to Amy Boonstra, amy.boonstra@chicagobooth.edu.
LinkedIn
This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn
lnkd.in
January 22, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Looking for a postdoc position? We'd love to chat with you!
We have three positions. Each involves working with the faculty at Chicago Booth. First: Chief Scientist
uchicago.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Extern...
Send recommendations to Amy Boonstra, amy.boonstra@chicagobooth.edu.
We have three positions. Each involves working with the faculty at Chicago Booth. First: Chief Scientist
uchicago.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Extern...
Send recommendations to Amy Boonstra, amy.boonstra@chicagobooth.edu.
Reposted by Ayelet Fishbach
Tired of the news? Take a break and listen to these #BehaviouralScience podcasts from Behavioural Grooves 👇 Their most recent episide is on how to achieve your New Year goals with @ayeletfishbach.bsky.social
09 | Behavioral Grooves
behavioralgrooves.com
January 10, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Tired of the news? Take a break and listen to these #BehaviouralScience podcasts from Behavioural Grooves 👇 Their most recent episide is on how to achieve your New Year goals with @ayeletfishbach.bsky.social
We recently wrote about the value of having a goal—any goal—even if you'll never achieve it. Thank you, Ben Converse, Annabelle Roberts, and Marie Hennecke.
compass.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
compass.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
On the experience of goals: Differentiating goal‐generic value from goal‐specific value
We distinguish between goal-specific value, which refers to the intrinsic and extrinsic benefits associated with a particular goal (“value derived from the goal”), and goal-generic value, which refer...
compass.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
January 8, 2025 at 10:31 PM
We recently wrote about the value of having a goal—any goal—even if you'll never achieve it. Thank you, Ben Converse, Annabelle Roberts, and Marie Hennecke.
compass.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
compass.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
When you consider the prevalence of a problem, you infer it causes less harm. People believed dire problems—ranging from poverty to drunk driving—were less problematic upon learning the number of people they affect.
@chicagoboothreview.bsky.social www.chicagobooth.edu/review/the-b...
@chicagoboothreview.bsky.social www.chicagobooth.edu/review/the-b...
The ‘Big Problem Paradox’
When something dangerous is common, it somehow seems less dangerous.
www.chicagobooth.edu
December 12, 2024 at 10:33 PM
When you consider the prevalence of a problem, you infer it causes less harm. People believed dire problems—ranging from poverty to drunk driving—were less problematic upon learning the number of people they affect.
@chicagoboothreview.bsky.social www.chicagobooth.edu/review/the-b...
@chicagoboothreview.bsky.social www.chicagobooth.edu/review/the-b...
To eat healthily, think of healthy foods as deliciously prepared. It’s counterintuitive—people often picture white pasta smothered in tomato sauce and topped with parmesan, while envisioning whole wheat pasta as uncooked sticks. @chicagoboothreview.bsky.social
www.chicagobooth.edu/review/how-m...
www.chicagobooth.edu/review/how-m...
How to Make Healthy Food More Appealing to Americans
Describing how dishes are made increases people’s appetite for them.
www.chicagobooth.edu
December 5, 2024 at 4:03 PM
To eat healthily, think of healthy foods as deliciously prepared. It’s counterintuitive—people often picture white pasta smothered in tomato sauce and topped with parmesan, while envisioning whole wheat pasta as uncooked sticks. @chicagoboothreview.bsky.social
www.chicagobooth.edu/review/how-m...
www.chicagobooth.edu/review/how-m...
A reminder that shared plates = shared minds. Thank you for featuring my research with Kaitlin Woolley!
www.bbc.com/future/artic...
www.bbc.com/future/artic...
Why humans feel the need to feast together
For thousands of years, humans have come together in small groups to feast on food. Why is it important – and why do we still continue the tradition?
www.bbc.com
November 28, 2024 at 3:39 PM
A reminder that shared plates = shared minds. Thank you for featuring my research with Kaitlin Woolley!
www.bbc.com/future/artic...
www.bbc.com/future/artic...
Thanksgiving alert! Kaitlin Woolley and I found that shared plates increase bonding and cooperation. Check out lnkd.in/gCxRvjEm. Perfect occasion to discuss climate action and what's your family doing.
www.tedxchicago.com/aclimateacti...
www.tedxchicago.com/aclimateacti...
Climate Action Thanksgiving — TEDx Chicago
www.tedxchicago.com
November 17, 2024 at 4:55 PM
Thanksgiving alert! Kaitlin Woolley and I found that shared plates increase bonding and cooperation. Check out lnkd.in/gCxRvjEm. Perfect occasion to discuss climate action and what's your family doing.
www.tedxchicago.com/aclimateacti...
www.tedxchicago.com/aclimateacti...
Thanksgiving alert! @Kaitlin Woolley and I found that shared plates increase bonding and cooperation. Check out lnkd.in/gCxRvjEm
How Thanksgiving Dinner Can Make You A Better Collaborator
Believe it or not, whether it be at the house or back at the office, Thanksgiving dinner can make you a better collaborator.
www.forbes.com
November 17, 2024 at 4:49 PM
Thanksgiving alert! @Kaitlin Woolley and I found that shared plates increase bonding and cooperation. Check out lnkd.in/gCxRvjEm
My son’s dentist believes in incentives. As a motivation scientist I want to see the data.
November 16, 2024 at 5:58 PM
My son’s dentist believes in incentives. As a motivation scientist I want to see the data.
Thanks for sharing! Ryan Carlson’s figure illustrates why it’s hard to see the information in failure and how to make it more likely that the information is seen.
Failures are hard to learn from, not just because they are unpleasant, but also because they appear uninformative, research by Carlson and @ayeletfishbach.bsky.social suggests. Overcoming these difficulties requires addressing both emotional and cognitive barriers: https://buff.ly/3ynp3HD
October 22, 2024 at 1:03 AM
Thanks for sharing! Ryan Carlson’s figure illustrates why it’s hard to see the information in failure and how to make it more likely that the information is seen.
Why (and when) do we complete work too soon? We find it is when we seek closure. Check out this paper with Annabelle Roberts
hbr.org/2024/10/rese...
hbr.org/2024/10/rese...
Research: Why People Will Pay a Premium to Complete a Task Sooner
Traditional economic theory holds that people should always prefer to receive money as soon as possible and postpone paying debt as long as they can. Yet, a recent series of studies found that people ...
hbr.org
October 16, 2024 at 4:07 PM
Why (and when) do we complete work too soon? We find it is when we seek closure. Check out this paper with Annabelle Roberts
hbr.org/2024/10/rese...
hbr.org/2024/10/rese...