A comprehensive overview of contemporary economic psychology

Economic Psychology presents an accessible overview of contemporary economic psychology. The science of economic mental life and behavior is increasingly relevant as people are expected to take more responsibility for their household and personal economic decisions. The text will, in addition to reviewing current knowledge on each topic presented, consider the practical and policy implications for supporting economic decision making. Economic Psychology examines central aspects of adult decision making in everyday life and reviews the theories of economic decision making based on risk, value and affect, and theories of intertemporal choice. The text reviews the nature and behavioral consequences of economic mental representations about such things as material possessions, money and the economy.

The editor Rob Ranyard a noted expert on economic psychology presents a life-span developmental approach, from childhood to old age. He also reviews important societal issues such as charitable giving and pro-environmental behaviour. This vital resource:

Reviews the economic psychology in everyday life including financial behaviour such as saving and tax-paying and matters such as entrepreneurial activity
Offers an introduction to the field and traces the emergence of the discipline, from Adam Smith to George Katona and Herbert Simon
Includes an overview of research methods for economic psychology
Considers broader perspectives on economic psychology: life-span psychological development from childhood to old age; societal issues such as poverty and insurance

Written for students of psychology, Economic Psychology reviews the most important contemporary economic psychology with a focus on individual and household