We study affect and decision-making.

Classic theories describe the influence of affect on decision-making as "hot," automatic, and often irrational, in opposition to "cold," controlled, rational cognition, but this simplistic dichotomy ignores the complexity of both affect and decision-making. Our research combines computational behavioral models of value and learning with psychological theories of affect and self-regulation, and measures and manipulations of components of affect and the brain. By leveraging psychology, economics, and neuroscience, we seek to develop a more nuanced and sophisticated understanding of affect and decision-making.

The lab's approach is captured in two main goals: first, to identify links between unique components of affect and specific decision processes, and second, to understand how techniques used to change affect can be used to change choices.