Uri Gneezy and John List are like the anthropologists who spend months in the field studying the people in their native habitats. But in their case they embed themselves in our messy world to try and solve big, difficult problems, such as the gap between rich and poor students and the violence plaguing inner city schools; the real reasons people discriminate; whether women are really less competitive than men; and how to correctly price products and services. Their field experiments show how economic incentives can change outcomes. Their results will change the way we both think about and take action on big and little problems, and force us to rely no longer on assumptions, but upon the evidence of what really works.

Getting beyond assumptions : what makes people do what they do? How can you get people to do what you want? : when incentives (don't) work and why What can Craigslist, mazes, and a ball and bucket teach us about why women earn less than men? : on the plains below Kilimanjaro What can a matrilineal society teach us about women and competition? : a visit to the Khasi How can sad silver medalists and happy bronze medalists help us close the achievement gap? : public education : the $627 billion problem How can poor kids catch rich kids in just months? : a voyage to preschool What seven words can end discrimination? : I don't really hate you, I just like money Be careful what you choose, it may be used against you! : the hidden motives behind discrimination How can we save ourselves from ourselves? :using field experiments to inform life and death situations What really makes people give to charity? : don't appeal to people's hearts, appeal to their vanity What can cleft palates and opt-out boxes teach us about people's reasons for giving to charity? : the remarkable phenomenon of reciprocity Why is today's business manager an endangered species? : creating a culture of experimentation at your business How to change the world...or at least get a better deal : life is a laboratory