Approach to Research
The Human Behavior and Social Change Lab studies how people’s beliefs, goals, and environments work together to shape motivation, behavior, and well-being. Guided by social psychological theories of motivation, persuasion, and behavior change, our research integrates laboratory and field experiments to identify the psychological processes that drive behavior and the contextual features that support or constrain them. We use these insights to design and test interventions that address real-world challenges in collaboration with the people closest to the problems—such as teachers, managers, and community leaders. Our studies follow open-science practices and employ advanced statistical tools, including Bayesian regression tree models, to draw robust, replicable conclusions that advance both theory and practice.
Domains of Research
We are currently conducting research to understand and address social problems across the following domains:
See our “Publications” page for published work on these topics.
Active Studies
Interested in participating in one of our research studies? Click the links below to see if you’re eligible.
The Political Attitudes Study
In the US, political beliefs and related social behaviors are linked with a wide range of mental health, relational, and behavioral outcomes. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between political attitudes and social behavior as well as well-being.
See if you’re eligible
The Clinician Perspectives Study
The purpose of this study is to learn about clinicians’ perspectives about patient care and clinical practices.
See if you’re eligible