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A leader in decisionmaking research reveals how choices are designed—and why it’s so important to understand their inner workings Every time we make a choice our minds go through an elaborate process most of us never even notice. We’re influenced by subtle aspects of the way the choice is presented that often make the difference between a good decision and a bad one. How do we overcome the common faults in our decisionmaking and enable better choices in any situation The answer lies in more conscious and intentional decision design. Going well beyond the familiar concepts of nudges and defaults The Elements of Choice offers a comprehensive systematic guide to creating effective choice architectures the environments in which we make decisions. The designers of decisions need to consider all the elements involved in presenting a choice how many options to offer how to present those options how to account for our natural cognitive shortcuts and much more. These levers are unappreciated and we’re often unaware of just how much they influence our reasoning every day. Eric J. Johnson is the lead researcher behind some of the most wellknown and cited research on decisionmaking. He draws on his original studies and extensive work in business and public policy and synthesizes the latest research in the field to reveal how the structure of choices affects outcomes. We are all choice architects for ourselves and for others. Whether you’re helping students choose the right school helping patients pick the best health insurance plan or deciding how to invest for your own retirement this book provides the tools you need to guide anyone to the decision that’s right for them.