Center for Decision Research

Positioned at the forefront of behavioral science, the Center for Decision Research is devoted to 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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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.

Thaler-Tversky Research Grant for Emerging Scholars

We are now accepting submissions for the spring round of our independent research grant program for emerging scholars. This program supports new behavioral science research led by University of Chicago PhD students and post-doctoral researchers. Applications are due by April 24, 2020.

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.

CDR Hosts Open House

On Wednesday, January 29, the Center for Decision Research welcomed more than 125 Booth community members for an open house featuring fascinating talks, prize giveaways, a pop-up lab, and more.

Elizabeth Huppert presents at the society for judgment and decision making annual meeting 2019

CDR Featured at Society for Judgment and Decision Making Annual Meeting

The Society for Judgment and Decision Making held its Annual Meeting Nov. 15-18 in Montreal. CDR's prominence at the event continues: more than 40 talks & posters featured work by CDR faculty & students. The CDR also sponsored the Women in SJDM networking event and hosted a CDR reunion dinner.

Fall 2019 Thaler-Tversky Research Grant Recipients

The Center for Decision Research is pleased to announce the newest recipients of the Thaler-Tversky Independent Research Grant for emerging scholars. Learn about the winners and their proposed research projects.

Think Better with Stephen Wendel

On Nov. 6, the CDR welcomed Stephen Wendel, Head of Behavioral Science at Morningstar, for his talk, "Challenges and Opportunities of Behavioral Science in Business." Read more about his talk and watch the full video.

The Center for Decision Research Welcomes New Faculty

Three new assistant professors join the CDR community: Shereen Chaudhry, Joshua Dean, and Celia Gaertig.

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.

Linda Ginzel Honored with the 2019 Hillel J. Einhorn Award

Linda E. Ginzel, Clinical Professor of Managerial Psychology, has been honored with the 2019 Hillel J. Einhorn Award in recognition of her exceptional teaching in the Executive MBA Program Asia, at Booth’s Singapore campus.

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.

THINK BETTER with Angela Duckworth

On April 17, 2019, the CDR welcomed psychologist and best-selling author Angela Duckworth, who presented her talk, "Strategic Self-Control," followed by a discussion.

Chicago Booth Behavioral Scientists Receive Award for Influential Research

Chicago Booth behavioral scientists receive award for influential research.

Nobel Prize Winner 2017

Richard H. Thaler wins Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences.

Second Science Project

CDR partners with The Second City.

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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