Comprehensive Research OrganizationWaseda University

The present study aims to develop a methodology for the microscopic analysis of human decision-making processes in social contexts, and to conduct both fundamental and applied research utilizing this methodology. Human decision-making in social situations is not necessarily economically rational nor internally consistent. For example, even when economic policies are formulated based on the utility theory in economics, they sometimes fail to adequately explain the context-dependence of consumer decision-making, leading to ineffective policy outcomes. Moreover, since individual decisions in daily life are often influenced by social environments, social predictions can occasionally turn out to be inaccurate or invalid. Our research institute seeks to understand these characteristics of decision-making through methods such as online surveys, mail surveys, interviews, behavioral observations, and psychological experiments. Based on the findings obtained from these methods, we aim to contribute to practical fields such as marketing and social policy. The core of this research consists of experimental investigations into human decision-making processes, conducted using the facilities of the Faculty of Letters, Arts and Sciences at Waseda University (Psychology Laboratory and Social Psychology Laboratory). Using equipment such as electroencephalographs (EEG) and eye-tracking devices, we perform experimental micro-analyses of decision-making processes. Although experiments utilizing these devices are currently being conducted effectively, further comprehensive research on decision-making is planned in the future. In addition, we intend to examine decision-making processes in animals, and to organize symposia and workshops related to these studies.