What is Decision Science?

Decision Science is a growing field that draws on Psychology and Economics methodologies along with emerging technologies in neuroscience to study how people make judgments and choices. Traditionally, formal models have been prescribed to rationalize the decision-making process; yet individuals and organizations continue to make bad decisions. Rather than dictate how decisions should be made in a perfect world, Decision Science seeks to understand how decisions actually are made in the real world.

To this end, some of the questions addressed by decision scientists include:

• How do feelings influence thoughts in the brain?
• Are feelings necessarily irrational influences?
• Can one willfully change one's state of mind while engaged in crisis decision making?
• Are decision mistakes and biases predictable and preventable?
• Can accountability systems be structured to improve decision processes?

By answering these questions and others, decision scientists will help tomorrow's leaders make informed, effective decisions.