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The psychological consequences of poverty

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About this talk

Johannes Haushofer, an assistant professor of psychology and public affairs at Princeton University, conducts research at the intersection of neurobiology, behavioral economics, and development economics. In Johannes’s 2016 Talk, he explores the psychological and neurobiological toll of poverty, and sheds light on how experiencing poverty can affect an individual’s economic behavior.

About Johannes Haushofer

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Johannes Haushofer is an economist and a professor at the University of Stockholm in Sweden. His research sits at the intersection of psychology and economics, exploring a fascinating question: Does poverty have a direct effect on a person’s mindset and brain? Johannes conducts real-world experiments in places like Kenya and Sierra Leone. He has used randomized controlled trials, such as giving people small amounts of money, to study how poverty and the stress it causes can impact a person’s behavior and decisions. His work has shown that the psychological effects of poverty can be a major barrier to a person’s success. Known for his unique approach to research and his transparency, Johannes famously published a “CV of Failures,” which listed his many professional setbacks to show that everyone faces rejection. With PhDs from both Harvard and the University of Zurich, he is a leading voice in his field. using his work to help find new ways to improve the lives of people living in poverty.

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