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Archive » September 2025 » How much is 20 euros worth? Psychology, neuroscience and value in economic decisions

How much is 20 euros worth? Psychology, neuroscience and value in economic decisions

Nicolao Bonini
September 2025 - n. 9
Keywords: Neuroscienze, criteri decisionali, psicologia
Jel codes: D80, D87, E71

This study examines several decision-making anomalies related to how individuals evaluate monetary outcomes. Recent findings from decision psychology and decision neuroscience reveal that economic choices are often driven by fast, automatic, and sometimes unconscious neural and psychological processes, rather than purely rational and deliberate calculations. The significant implications arising from the shift away from the traditional Homo Economicus model towards a more realistic and nuanced understanding of the decision-maker – as Homo Sapiens, who integrates cognitive, emotional, and contextual factors into their choices – are discussed. The theoretical and practical consequences of this paradigm shift are explored in conclusions.

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