Scarcity: Why Having Too Little Means So Much

Scarcity is co-authored by Sendhil Mullainathan and Eldar Shafir. Their combined expertise in economics, psychology, and behavioral science makes them particularly well-suited to explore and illuminate the complex effects of scarcity on human behavior and decision-making.

Sendhil Mullainathan is a professor of computation and behavioral science at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He received his bachelor of arts in computer science, mathematics, and economics from Cornell University and his PhD in economics from Harvard University. Mullainathan is a recipient of a MacArthur Foundation “genius grant,” recognizing his work in behavioral economics and its application to social problems. His research interests span a wide range of topics, including development economics, corporate finance, and the role of psychology in economic behavior. Before joining the University of Chicago, he was a professor of economics at Harvard University and has worked with numerous organizations to apply behavioral economic principles to alleviate poverty and improve public policy effectiveness.

Mullainathan’s contributions to the field of behavioral economics are characterized by an application of psychological insights to understand economic behaviors in real-world contexts. His work has consistently sought to uncover the hidden factors that influence decision-making, particularly in the