RESEARCH
The Legal Decision Lab examines how people think, reason, and make decisions in legal contexts. Drawing on social-cognitive psychology, the lab uses experimental and applied methods to study decision-making by a variety of legal actors. In addition to traditional legal psychology research, the lab pursues interdisciplinary work comparing human and algorithmic decision-making to better understand accountability, transparency, and fairness in legal systems. We are especially interested in identifying psychological mechanisms that shape legal judgments and using those insights to improve legal processes and policy.
Plea Bargaining
Factors that drive defendant plea bargain decisions and attorney recommendations.
Policy
Factors that influence voter decisions and needed policy shifts for dealing with collateral consequences.
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Factors that influence decision making in court alternatives, such as mediation & arbitration.
Probation
Factors that influence probationer and probation officer decision making.
Taxpayers
Factors that influence taxpayer decision-making and behavior.
Juries
Factors that influence juror and jury decision making.