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behavioral economics

American

[bih-heyv-yer-uhl ek-uh-nom-iks, eekuh-] / bɪˈheɪv yər əl ˌɛk əˈnɒm ɪks, ˌikə- /

noun

(used with a singular verb)

the branch of economics dealing with the effects of psychological, emotional, cultural, and social factors on individual or group economic decision-making, as distinguished from classical economics, which assumes that people will make the optimal economic decisions based on rational self-interest and utility.

Etymology

Origin of behavioral economics

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

To dig deeper, the researchers built a mathematical model using tools from game theory and behavioral economics.

From Science Daily • Mar. 2, 2026

The ascent of behavioral economics was complete, or at least so it seemed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 26, 2025

But here’s where behavioral economics and investment strategy diverge: I don’t need everyone to follow through.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 17, 2025

Thomas Piketty and his colleagues work on economic inequality, Alan Krueger and David Card work on minimum wage, Kahneman works on behavioral economics.

From Salon • Feb. 1, 2025

Kahneman received the Nobel Prize in economics in 2002 for these and other contributions that ended up underpinning the discipline now known as behavioral economics.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 27, 2024

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023