Adam Alter
Psychologist
What makes us incessantly check our phones? Adam Alter dives into the fascinating psychology that drives our tech addictions.
Why you should listen
Adam Alter's academic research focuses on judgment, decision-making and social psychology, with a particular interest in the sometimes surprising effects of subtle cues in the environment on human cognition and behavior.
He is the bestselling author of two books: Irresistible, which considers why so many people today are addicted to so many behaviors, from incessant smart phone and internet use to video game playing and online shopping, and Drunk Tank Pink, which investigates how hidden forces in the world around us shape our thoughts, feelings and behaviors.
Adam Alter’s TED Talk
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We humans
A smart way to handle anxiety — courtesy of soccer great Lionel Messi
June 22, 2023
Being incredibly talented doesn’t immunize you against anxiety, but Lionel Messi has mastered a coping mechanism that's also a tactical weapon, says social psychologist Adam Alter PhD.
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It’s personal: The talks of Session 9 of TED2017
April 28, 2017
For the ninth session of TED2017, hosted by TED’s Editorial Director Helen Walters and Curation Director Kelly Stoetzel, we look into ourselves with seven speakers who take on subjects ranging from parenting to social interaction and heartbreak, revealing nuggets of wisdom that just might help you lead a better, more fulfilled life. The longest-running study […]
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First impressions: A TED salon on what we learn (and reveal) at first glance
May 13, 2015
First impressions are full of promise — and anxiety. On Tuesday night, five speakers in TED’s New York office shared a salon that explored the hidden opportunities, truths and humor in these split-second assumptions. First up, NYU associate professor Adam Alter showed how exploiting a simple human trait could actually make us more generous. “We […]
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