Support the fact-based journalism you rely on with a donation to Marketplace today. Give Now!

What Orson Welles and "War of the Worlds" taught us about economic panic

Oct 31, 2018
About 80 years ago, a radio dramatization of an alien attack spread panic through the airwaves. That sense of fear can also manifest itself in the world of economics.
Orson Welles (1915 - 1985), American actor, producer, writer and director. In 1938 his radio production of H G Wells's "The War of the Worlds" caused panic.
Central Press/Getty Images

Richard Thaler wins Nobel for work in behavioral economics

Oct 9, 2017
The Nobel committee said Thaler’s work shows how human traits affect individual decisions and market outcomes.
Nobel prize winner Richard Thaler.
Courtesy of the University of Chicago

The psychology behind cheating

Feb 6, 2015
Duke professor and dishonesty expert Dan Ariely explains why people cheat in business and in life.

Does the language you speak affect how much you save?

Feb 15, 2013
An economics professor at Yale has found the way a speaker uses the future tense can affect their likelihood of saving.

LAPD manhunt reward money: Could it pay off?

Feb 11, 2013
The Los Angeles Police Department has offered a $1 million for information that leads to the capture of former police officer Christopher Dorner. But some critics say reward money doesn't always work.

How people behave after a crisis like Hurricane Sandy

Nov 2, 2012
Professor Dan Ariely discusses why there's an altruistic feeling following a crisis and what happens when everyone is going after a few limited resources.
People shop for bottled water at a supermarket in the Rockaway Beach neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.
Allison Joyce/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

The psychology of poverty

Oct 5, 2012
One Harvard professor says being poor not only impacts people financially, but mentally as well

Why are we outraged over high gas prices?

Feb 27, 2012
Behavioral economist Sendhil Mullainathan puts into perspective why we shouldn't be too angry over rising gas prices.