From Imperialism to Inspiration: A Survey of Economics and Psychology

Zurich IEER Working Paper No. 118

31 Pages Posted: 26 Sep 2002

See all articles by Bruno S. Frey

Bruno S. Frey

CREMA; University of Basel

Matthias Benz

University of Zurich - Department of Economics

Date Written: May 2002

Abstract

Economics and psychology are both sciences of human behaviour. This paper gives a survey of their interaction. First, the changing relationship between the two sciences is discussed: while economics was once imperialistic, it has become a science inspired by psychological insights. In order to illustrate this, recent developments and evidence for three major areas are presented: bounded rationality, non-selfish behaviour, and the economics of happiness.

Suggested Citation

Frey, Bruno S. and Benz, Matthias, From Imperialism to Inspiration: A Survey of Economics and Psychology (May 2002). Zurich IEER Working Paper No. 118, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=316681 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.316681

Bruno S. Frey (Contact Author)

CREMA ( email )

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University of Basel ( email )

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Basel, 4002
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Matthias Benz

University of Zurich - Department of Economics ( email )

Zuerich, 8006
Switzerland