Choiceology with Katy Milkman | S17 EP3
The Illusion of Number One
Ranked lists are everywhere—top hospitals, best colleges, must-visit cities. A single number can influence what we notice, what we value, and the decisions we make. Yet behind these rankings are hidden assumptions, and they don't always reflect what matters most to you.
In this episode of Choiceology with Katy Milkman, we explore how rankings shape attention, guide choices, and subtly steer behavior.
Shriya Boppanna shares how rankings shaped one of the biggest decisions of her life—and, years later, what she gained and what she missed by chasing prestige.
Next, Katy speaks with Rick Larrick, the Hanes Corporation Foundation Professor of Management and Organizations at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business. His research reveals how rank labels simplify complex choices and influence everything from restaurant reservations to career moves—often without us even noticing.
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