Two sources of human irrationality: Cognitive dissonance and brain dysfunction

Akerof and Dickens explored the relevance of cognitive dissonance theory for economics, and the theory is shown here to predict occasional irrational thinking. Secondly, it is proposed that the focus of neuroeconomics on brain dysfunction and the role of neurotranmitters on cognition suggests two ways in which the functioning of the brain can impair rational decision-making.