Professor
Ph.D. Columbia University
Area: Social
Contact Information
Email: nisbett@umich.edu
Psychology Office: 3229 East Hall
Psychology Phone: 734-763-1160
Alternate Office: ISR 5261
Alternate Phone: 734-764-8360
Research and Teaching Interests
Nisbett is Theodore M. Newcomb Distinguished University Professor; Co-Director of the UM Culture and Cognition Program; and Research Professor at the Research Center for Group Dynamics of UM's Institute for Social Research.
My research interests focus on culture, social class and aging. I study reasoning and basic cognitive processes, especially induction, statistical reasoning, causal attribution, cost-benefit analysis and logical vs. dialectical approaches to problem-solving. I have studied the degree to which cognitive processes can be trained and the differences in East Asian and Western reasoning styles. I have also studied awareness of cognitive processes and lay personality theory. I also conducted research on the "culture of honor" in the U.S. South and West.
Recent Book:
The Geography of Thought: How Asians and Westerners Think Differently...And Why.
The Free Press, February 2003
ISBN: 0-7432-1646-6
