A decade ago, giving money directly to those in poverty was seen as a radical idea. Today, that perception is shifting. But there are still unanswered questions about the effects of cash transfers when used at scale.
A new study explores whether using behavioral principles to distribute a basic income can more effectively combat child poverty.
How some are getting a new study of self-control wrong.
As it stands now, our system of higher education may do more to perpetuate inequality than to disrupt it.
People love “Rags to Riches” stories—those sanguine tales in which someone who grew up in poverty manages to become extremely wealthy and professionally successful.
When considering poverty, our national conversation tends to overlook systemic causes. Instead, we often blame the poor for their poverty.
Can behavioral science help end poverty? We think so, and we have a few ideas.
Picture yourself on a beach. You are basking in the hot sun, feeling incredibly thirsty. Fortunately, there’s a bar at the resort where you’re staying. It’s pricey, but it’s just a few steps away. How much are you willing to pay for a cold beer?
It’s well documented that the consequences of childhood poverty are immediate and long-lasting. By their first day in school, children in poverty score worse than their middle and upper class peers on nearly every developmental measure from language use to attention skills.
In this exclusive excerpt of their new book Sendhil Mullainathan and Eldar Shafir explore the concept of scarcity: its ubiquity, its challenges, and its silver lining.
