Imagine that two doctors in the same city reach different diagnoses for identical patients or that two judges in the same court impose clearly different sentences on defendants who have committed the same crime. Assume that different interviewers in the same company make differing decisions about job candidates with the same skills or that the handling of customer complaints in a company depends on the person who happens to pick up the phone. Now picture a doctor, judge, or interviewer making different decisions depending on whether it is morning or afternoon, Monday or Wednesday, and so on. All of these are examples of noise — examples of variability and fluctuation in judgments that should be identical.

This book presents the harmful consequences of noise in many fields, including medicine, law, financial forecasting, performance evaluation, forensics, bonding, asylum granting, custody decisions, business strategies, and hiring. Wherever there is human judgment, there is noise. In most cases, neither individuals nor organizations are aware of the problem. However, with a few simple methods, we can reduce both noise and psychological biases, aiming for better decision-making.

Equipped with original thoughts and research-derived ideas that earned the groundbreaking books Thinking, Fast and Slow and Nudge the title of "New York Times bestseller," Noise explains how and why we are so susceptible to noise in our judgments and what we can do about it.

What they said about the book:

• "Noise may be the most important book I've read in over a decade. [...]. A top-notch work." — Angela Duckworth, Professor of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania

• "...A brilliant exploration of a serious social problem that hides in plain sight. [...]" — Steven Levitt, Professor of Economics, University of Chicago

• "...If we heeded their advice, we would have more profitable businesses, healthier citizens, a fairer legal system, and a happier life. [...]" — Jonathan Haidt, Professor of Ethical Leadership, New York University

• "The impact of Noise must be shocking. Apart from being a must-read book, it is also a manual of methods that everyone can apply to reduce risk in their decisions." — Robert Cialdini, Professor of Psychology and Marketing, Arizona State University

• "The golden rule for a behavioral science book is to provide fresh ideas, thorough evidence, engaging writing, and practical applications. While rarely does a book cover more than two of these pillars, Noise succeeds in all four. Three of the world’s greatest minds will help you rethink how you evaluate people, make decisions, and solve problems." — Adam Grant, Professor of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania

• "A truly fascinating and important book, backed by deep research and thought, accessible to all. It starts by igniting our curiosity about what will follow and ends with a message of optimism. We can make better choices in business, politics, and our personal lives. And this book lights the way for us. [...]" — Rita McGrath, Professor of Business, Columbia University

• "In Noise, the authors brilliantly apply their unique and pioneering ideas about the flaws of human judgment to every human endeavor: from Moneyball coaches and bankers to military officers and heads of state. A masterpiece and a landmark in the science of psychology. [...]" — Philip E. Tetlock, Professor of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania

• "...Noise completes the trilogy that began with the books Thinking, Fast and Slow and Nudge. I urge you to read it soon before noise disrupts more decisions in the organization where you work." — Max H. Bazerman, Professor of Business Administration, Harvard University