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.
Learn More
Apply Now: Thaler-Tversky Independent Research Grant
The CDR is now accepting submissions for the spring round of the Thaler-Tversky Independent Research Grant program for emerging scholars. Applications are due by April 1, 2021. UChicago PhD students and postdoctoral researchers interested in behavioral science are encouraged to apply.
Learn More
You're Invited: 2021 CDR Open House
Curious about the rapidly-growing field of behavioral science? Join the CDR Wednesday, January 27 for an online open house! Find out how you can get involved with the center's groundbreaking research, innovative labs, and world-renowned faculty.
Register Now
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.
Watch Recording
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.
Learn More
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.
Learn More
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.
Learn More
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.
Watch Video
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.
Learn More
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.
Learn more
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.
Learn More
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.
Watch Video
COVID-19 and CDR Operations
Along with the entire UChicago community, the CDR continues to closely follow the evolving situation with coronavirus (COVID-19). In accordance with University guidance and to prioritize safety, the CDR has suspended lab operations and postponed events originally scheduled for spring 2020.
Read More
Think Better with Adam Alter
On Wednesday, February 19, the CDR welcomed Adam Alter, associate professor of marketing at NYU's Stern School of Business, for his talk on the behavioral science behind our obsession with screens. Read the event recap and watch the full video.
Read More (With Video)
Nicholas Epley Partners With BBC to Replicate Groundbreaking Study
CDR faculty director Nicholas Epley found that in both the U.S. and the U.K., when commuters talk with strangers on public transportation, both people report feeling happier.
Read more
Research Highlights, 2013–2018
Highlights from the work of CDR Researchers. The articles here were originally published in the Chicago Booth Review, which publishes research-driven insights on business, policy, and markets.
Read More
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.
Read More