Jennifer Aaker author photo
Image via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Jennifer Aaker

Born: January 15, 1967 – Palo Alto, California, United States

Jennifer Aaker is a Stanford Graduate School of Business professor and behavioral scientist whose work examines meaning, time, connection, humor, and technology’s role in human well-being. She coauthored Humor, Seriously and The Dragonfly Effect, award-winning books that became global bestsellers translated into more than 20 languages.

Quotes

quote
The power of stories is what makes people act
-Case Study: Increasing the Bone Marrow Registry
quote
People want to get happier, but often don’t know the best path to do that
-Jennifer Aaker: How to Make Yourself Happy
quote
Our new study paints a parsimonious picture by demonstrating that conflicting goals can directly reduce subjective perceptions of time
-Jennifer Aaker: Why We Pay to Save Time
quote
Humans think happiness is this one thing: You’re either happy or you’re not
-A Global Look at the Connections Between Happiness, Income, and Meaning
quote
The biggest mistake we can make is thinking that this is just a story about technology
-Human First: Designing Artificial Intelligence That Elevates Us
quote
AI computes; we create
-Human First: Designing Artificial Intelligence That Elevates Us
quote
It turns out humor is a teachable skill
-Class Takeaways — Humor is Serious Business
quote
We lose our sense of humor. We stop smiling and laughing
-Humor Us
quote
The idea of a "beautiful life" is defined not by transient moments of happiness, but by a profound sense of meaning and purpose
-Creating a Beautiful Life

Discover more

The Psychology of Human Connection
LEARNING PLAN

The Psychology of Human Connection

In an era where digital barriers are rising, mastering the mechanics of face-to-face influence is a critical competitive advantage. This plan is essential for leaders, negotiators, and anyone looking to turn social interactions into meaningful strategic connections.

1 h4 Sections
Understand & influence human decision-making
LEARNING PLAN

Understand & influence human decision-making

In an era of information overload, understanding the hidden mechanics of the mind is a critical competitive advantage. This plan is ideal for leaders, marketers, and designers looking to leverage behavioral science to drive better results and ethical engagement.

4 h 40 m4 Sections
The Hidden Drivers of Human Behavior
LEARNING PLAN

The Hidden Drivers of Human Behavior

Understanding the unseen psychological forces that dictate our actions is essential for effective leadership and communication. This plan is ideal for professionals, managers, and anyone looking to master social intelligence and group dynamics.

30 m3 Sections
The Behavioral Science of Reading People
LEARNING PLAN

The Behavioral Science of Reading People

This plan is essential for professionals in leadership, negotiations, or law enforcement who need to look beyond surface-level interactions. It provides a scientific framework for interpreting human behavior and uncovering the truth in high-stakes environments.

30 m3 Sections
The Social Map: Decoding Human Dynamics
LEARNING PLAN

The Social Map: Decoding Human Dynamics

In an increasingly complex world, understanding the underlying drivers of human behavior is a critical competitive advantage. This plan is designed for leaders, collaborators, and anyone looking to master the psychological tools necessary to navigate social landscapes and influence group outcomes.

2 h 14 m3 Sections
Neuro, Psych & SaaS: Creative Niche Mastery
LEARNING PLAN

Neuro, Psych & SaaS: Creative Niche Mastery

This learning plan bridges the gap between cognitive science and software entrepreneurship, offering a unique competitive edge in a crowded market. It is ideal for product designers, founders, and creative innovators looking to build deeply engaging SaaS products rooted in human psychology.

4 h 18 m4 Sections
Become a People Magnet
LEARNING PLAN

Become a People Magnet

In an increasingly digital world, the ability to connect authentically is a rare and valuable superpower. This plan is designed for professionals, leaders, and anyone looking to enhance their social influence and master the art of charismatic communication.

5 h 7 m4 Sections
The Systems Thinking Advantage for Founders
LEARNING PLAN

The Systems Thinking Advantage for Founders

In the volatile world of startups, founders often fall into the trap of reactive management. This learning plan is essential for entrepreneurs who want to move beyond chaos by mastering the structural dynamics of their business. It is ideal for early-stage leaders aiming to build scalable, stable organizations through first-principles design.

1 h 30 m3 Sections

Community Voices

"Jennifer Aaker is a behavioral scientist focused on understanding what creates meaning vs. happiness in life"

TED

"Jennifer Aaker is a behavioral scientist and a professor at the Stanford Graduate School of Business"

NPR

"The Dragonfly Effect, authored by Jennifer Aaker and Andy Smith, examines how people use social media to create change"

Forbes

"Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas use science to explain how humor at work helps alleviate stress, anxiety, and burnout"

Arianna Huffington

"Stanford Professor Jennifer Aaker and Lecturer Naomi Bagdonas are bringing humor to the classroom and business world"

Gentry Magazine

"Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas have written a remarkable book for a remarkable moment in history"

Joel Peterson

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"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

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"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

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"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
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108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
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254
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17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

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"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

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