About The Invisible Handbook
Behavioral economics written for sharp high school minds and curious educators.
Why This Exists
The name comes from Adam Smith’s invisible hand—the idea that individual self-interest can lead to collective good. But what happens when that hand gets tangled in cognitive biases, social pressures, and time-inconsistent preferences?
I’m Shivam, a high school student who studies math and economics for fun. I built this handbook to share what I’ve learned so others can explore behavioral economics. If you have questions, feedback, or just want to chat about the material, reach out through the contact page. I’d love to hear from you.
What You Get
Twenty-two lessons move from Smith’s invisible hand to modern nudges. Every page follows a consistent arc: essential questions, a video primer, a hook anchored in real scenarios, deep dives into models, richly described visuals, and a short reading list. References point to seminal papers so you can keep exploring.
The course assumes you know basic calculus and probability. It does not assume you have seen behavioral economics before. You will see equations like $u(c_0) + \beta \sum_{t \geq 1} \delta^t u(c_t)$ right next to stories about retirement defaults or trust games.
How to Use It
Students can read straight through or jump to the topics that fit their interests. Teachers can assign full units or drop individual lessons into existing courses. Everything is free, no logins required. If you are teaching with the handbook, let us know so we can track impact and keep improving the material.
Share the site with anyone exploring behavioral econ. If you spot something that needs clarification or want a new example, reach out via the contact form. Feedback keeps the handbook alive.
Staying Connected
We track anonymous usage to understand reach. Educators can submit a quick impact update below; it helps prioritize future lessons and extras.