“Unstandard deviation: A positive deviance approach to reducing inequality through decision-making”

Hosted by the Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences

Abstract: There have been extremely positive, recent advances in how behavioral and decision science has informed public policy. Yet, interventions relying on evidence from those studies have had underwhelming impacts toward reducing economic inequality. In this talk, we will present an approach known as positive deviance, in which classic behavior and decision paradigms are used to identify unique patterns of individuals that optimize despite severely disadvantaged circumstances. Across several experimental, observational, and real-world studies from more than 60 countries, we will demonstrate how this approach may be better suited to fully realize the potential of behavioral research in public policy.

Full schedule, Behavior, Brain, Cognition Colloquium

For inquiries contact psych@wustl.edu.