Graduate Studies: Fields of Study
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The basic fields of study for graduate training in SDS are: Behavioral Decision Research (BDR); the Joint Program Between BDR and Psychology; and Strategy, Entrepreneurship, and Technological Change (SETchange).
Behavioral Decision Research Behavioral Decision Research (BDR) is an interdisciplinary field that draws on insights from psychology and economics to provide a descriptively realistic picture of human decision making. BDR shares with economics the idea that human behavior can be understood as a purposeful attempt to achieve well-being, or utility. It shares with psychology the recognition that social, cognitive and emotional factors have great influence on decisions. For example, people have limited information-processing capacity, and limited opportunities to acquire some of the specific skills needed for effective decision making. The combination of these perspectives leads BDR to focus on ways that real-world decision making deviates from the stylized assumptions of economics-and on ways in which performance might be improved. The BDR program has recently received the highest honors, five stars, from the Decision Analysis Society at INFORMS, the field's leading professional organization. We also offer a joint program of Behavioral Decision Research with the Department of Psychology. Graduates from the BDR program are prepared for academic positions in psychology departments or business schools, as well as industry positions. Suggested courses: SDS Faculty members in BDR: To learn more about BDR, contact George Loewenstein (gl20@andrew.cmu.edu, 268-8787, PH 319D) or Robyn Dawes (rd1b@andrew.cmu.edu, 268-2055, PH 219C). Joint Program Between BDR and Psychology The Doctoral Program in Psychology and Behavioral Decision Research draws on this tradition, by building on insights from psychology and economics to provide a descriptively realistic picture of human judgment and decision making. Although there are core requirements for all students,the program is designed to make it easy to combine interests in several academic areas. The Doctoral Program in Psychology and Behavioral Decision Research draws on the tradition of Behavioral Decision Research, by building on insights from psychology and economics to provide a descriptively realistic picture of human judgment and decision making. Students interested in the joint Psychology/BDR program are invited to apply at the end of their first year of SDS graduate studies. The application involves a short proposal for a second year paper and dissertation that is truly joint between the two departments, as indicated by co-chairs. The application will have to be approved by both departments. Students who graduate from this program will receive a joint degree from BDR and psychology. For program information, please contact any of the core faculty members: Professor Brooke Feeney (bfeeney@andrew.cmu.edu), Professor Robyn Dawes (rd1b@andrew.cmu.edu), Professor Baruch Fischhoff (baruch@cmu.edu), Professor George Loewenstein (gl20@andrew.cmu.edu), Professor Dick Hayes (JH50@cmu.edu) Strategy, Entrepreneurship, and Technological Change (SETchange) Strategy, Entrepeneurship, and Technological Change relates to the growth of global competition that has deepened appreciation of the fundamental role for technological change. Such change has influenced the market structures of firms, industries and regions, and the performance of the economy. This field of study focuses on the evolution of firm and industry structure, and its interplay with technological change. The determinants of the generation, commercialization and diffusion of new technologies are explored. Public policy concerning the funding of basic and applied research, antitrust, regulation, and regional economic development is considered, as is the private management of technological change. Suggested courses: SDS Faculty members in SETchange: To learn more about this track, contact SDS faculty member Steven Klepper (sk3f@andrew.cmu.edu, 268-3235, PH 219F). General Program in Social and Decision Sciences While most students elect to pursue a standing field, students may also, with the careful oversight of their advisor and the Graduate Education Committee, complete the core SDS requirements and receive a degree with the title of Social and Decision Sciences. Students completing a standing field are also eligible for the Social and Decision Sciences degree title. Students meeting requirements for multiple degree titles must select a single title from among the eligible set. To discuss your possible program of study, please contact the head of the graduate program, George Loewenstein (GL20@andrew.cmu.edu) |
Social and Decision Sciences revamps website! To learn more about BDR, contact SDS faculty member Dr. Robyn Dawes (rd1b@andrew.cmu.edu). |