Center for Decision Research
Positioned at the forefront of behavioral science, the Center for Decision Research is devoted to the study of how individuals form judgments and make decisions. Researchers at the center examine the processes by which intuition, reasoning, and social interaction produce beliefs, judgments, and choices. Understanding how and why people make decisions has important applications in a range of contexts, including management, marketing, finance, and public policy.
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Recap: "Think Better" with Richard Thaler
On Wednesday, November 3, 2021, Nobel Laureate Richard Thaler joined CDR Faculty Director Nick Epley for a hybrid installment of the Think Better speaker series exploring Thaler's new book, Nudge: The Final Edition.
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Behavioral Science in the News
CDR faculty, students, and researchers are routinely featured in popular press including the New York Times, Washington Post, NPR, and other outlets. This new publication highlights selected CDR media coverage from January 2020 to August 2021, including press mentions, editorials, podcast appearances, and more.
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Mindworks: The Science of Thinking is Now Open!
The CDR is pleased to announce the opening of Mindworks, the world’s first lab and interactive museum dedicated to behavioral science, located at 224 S Michigan Avenue in the heart of Chicago’s cultural corridor. Plan your visit today!
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Research Highlights 2021
In this new collection of behavioral science thought leadership, CDR faculty explore topics like negotiation, consumer behavior, moral judgment, motivation, decision-making, and more.
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2021 THALER-TVERSKY INDEPENDENT RESEARCH GRANT WINNERS
The CDR is pleased to announce Daniel Albohn and David Munguia Gomez are the recipients of the 2021 Thaler-Tversky Independent Research Grant for emerging scholars. Learn about the winners and their proposed projects.
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Marianne Bertrand Elected to National Academy of Sciences
Professor Marianne Bertrand is among the five University of Chicago scholars recently elected to the National Academy of Sciences in “recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research.”
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Webinar: Think Better with Katy Milkman
On May 20, 2021, behavioral scientist Katy Milkman joined George Wu to discuss Prof. Milkman's new book How to Change: The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be. The recording is now available.
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CDR FACULTY PARTNER WITH YOUNG SCHOLARS FOR LEADERSHIP ALLIANCE PROGRAM
This summer, the CDR will welcome seven outstanding rising scholars as part of the Leadership Alliance’s Summer Research Early Identification Program (SR-EIP). Meet the students who join us to conduct independent research projects under the guidance of CDR faculty mentors.
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CDR LAUNCHES INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP WITH ASHOKA UNIVERSITY
The CDR recently launched a promising new partnership with Ashoka University’s Delhi-based Centre for Social and Behaviour Change that will enable both institutions to conduct innovative cross-cultural research, field-test behavioral interventions, and more.
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Webinar: Think Better with Ayelet Fishbach
On Wednesday, February 17, Chicago Booth's Ayelet Fishbach presented her talk "Stay Motivated" exploring the behavioral science behind effective goal-setting and motivation. The recap and recording are now available.
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Webinar: "Think Better" with Todd Rogers
On Wednesday, November 19, behavioral scientist Todd Rogers presented his Think Better talk, "Fewer Words, Please" about harnessing the science of attention to communicate effectively in daily life.
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George Wu Receives Chicago Urban League Humanitarian Award
Chicago Booth Professor George Wu was recently named the recipient of the 2020 Chicago Urban League Humanitarian Award for his work as a key architect of the Urban League's IMPACT Leadership Development Program.
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CDR Lab Director Becky White Wins Booth Impact Award
CDR Lab Director Dr. Becky White was awarded a 2020 Booth Impact Award for her exceptional leadership of the center's research staff and data collection efforts. Read more about Dr. White and the innovative projects that merited this well-deserved award.
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CDR Welcomes Two New Faculty Members
The CDR is pleased to announce Professors Alex Imas and Alexander Todorov will be joining the center in the 2020-2021 academic year.
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Webinar: "Think Better" with Dolly Chugh
Award-winning social psychologist Dolly Chugh (NYU) and Chicago Booth's Jane Risen explore unconscious biases and how to stand up for equality, diversity, and inclusion in our turbulent world.
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Research Highlights: Racism, Prejudice, Stereotyping, and Intergroup Relations
A collection of CDR faculty research on issues including stereotyping, racial bias in algorithmic decision making, how implicit biases influence use of force, humanizing those with disagree with, bridging ethnic divides, and more.
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A message from Dean Rajan on the death of George Floyd and other racially motivated events
Chicago Booth Dean Madhav Rajan issued a statement affirming the school’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, and rejection of racism.
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Just Launched: PIMCO Decision Research Virtual Lab
Due to COVID-19, the CDR's in-person labs are temporarily closed, so we moved our behavioral science research online. Find out how the labs are adapting and how you can take paid research studies from the comfort and safety of home.
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Webinar: The Surprising Power of Social Connection
How can we stay emotionally connected while social distancing? In this webinar, Prof. Nicholas Epley explores the science behind meaningful social interactions.
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A Partnership to Guide Wiser Decision-Making
In the fall of 2018, PIMCO and the CDR announced a partnership in support of CDR’s behavioral science research. In recognition of this investment in research, Chicago Booth’s CDR laboratories were renamed the PIMCO Decision Research Laboratories.
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