{"product_id":"picoeconomics-the-strategic-interaction-of-successive-motivational-states-within-the-person-paperback-9780521158701","title":"Picoeconomics; The Strategic Interaction of Successive Motivational States within the Person (Paperback) 9780521158701","description":"\u003cfont face=\"Georgia\"\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"6\"\u003ePicoeconomics\u003c\/font\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cfont size=\"5\"\u003eThe Strategic Interaction of Successive Motivational States within the Person\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDr. Ainslie examines an elementary human paradox: that we are endangered by our own wishes.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"4\"\u003eGeorge Ainslie (Author)\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e9780521158701, Cambridge University Press\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003ePaperback, published 25 November 2010\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e460 pages\u003cbr\u003e21.6 x 14 x 2.6 cm, 0.58 kg\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eOriginally published in 1992, this book examines an elementary human paradox: that we are endangered by our own wishes; or, as Oscar Wilde put it, 'When the gods want to punish us they answer our prayers.' Even though this observation is ancient and confirmed by wide experience, none of the disciplines that deal with decision making explain it adequately. Dr. Ainslie uses findings from behavioral experiments to show that there is a basic tendency for humans to form temporary preferences for the poorer but earlier of two goals, when the poorer goal is closer at hand. The implications provide a rationale for puzzling behavior, from Frued's defense mechanism to the force of willpower, as well as conspicuous failures of willpower in addictions and other psychiatric disorders. This approach also sheds light on subjects that have been controversial in moral philosophy: weakness of will, self-deception, freedom, and responsibility.\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003ePreface\u003cbr\u003e 1. The paradox of addiction\u003cbr\u003e 2. In search of the two minds\u003cbr\u003e 3. Temporary-preference theory\u003cbr\u003e 4. The interaction of interests: the effects of short-range interests\u003cbr\u003e 5. The interaction of interests\u003cbr\u003e 6. Freedom and compulsion\u003cbr\u003e 7. Self-generated reward as the basic impulse-control problem\u003cbr\u003e 8. The demon at the calliope\u003cbr\u003e 9. The texture of experience\u003cbr\u003e Appendices\u003cbr\u003e Bibliography\u003cbr\u003e Indices.\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eSubject Areas: Psychology [\u003ca title=\"See our other books on Psychology\" href=\"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/search?q=%22Psychology%20%5BJM%5D%22\"\u003eJM\u003c\/a\u003e]\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003c\/font\u003e","brand":"Cambridge University Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46004088865048,"sku":"9780521158701","price":40.48,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0730\/2037\/5320\/products\/9780521158701i_1b5731c3-2931-4070-8255-9dab02286768.jpg?v=1691372815","url":"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/products\/picoeconomics-the-strategic-interaction-of-successive-motivational-states-within-the-person-paperback-9780521158701","provider":"Freshly Printed Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}