Psychology professor Tom Gilovich has spent decades studying how people make decisions, and the costs—social, mental, economic, and more—of those judgments.
Among his core findings: that happiness is best derived by spending one’s resources on experiences rather than material things.
The Irene Blecker Rosenfeld Professor of Psychology, he leads the Gilovich Judgment and Belief Lab—JabLab for short—and co-directs the Cornell Center for Behavioral Economics and Decision Research.
He also co-teaches a hugely popular behavioral economics course titled “Better Decisions for Life, Love, and Money.”
As summer travel season kicks into high gear, Gilovich offers five ingredients to make trips memorable and satisfying.
Reflections in the moment
Much of the pleasure from our adventures comes from looking back on them. But because memory is imperfect, try to keep a journal to create a more lasting and richer experience.
Excitement, not length
We remember the size of the thrill over the length of the adventure. Seek out exhilarating activities—even if short lived—to lock in memories you’ll never forget.
Read the rest of the tips on the Cornellians website.
Illustrations by Shea Oleksa
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