Ralf Hertwig

Ralf Hertwig is a leading cognitive psychologist and decision scientist, currently serving as Director of the Research Department of Adaptive Rationality and Deputy Managing Director at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in Berlin. He holds honorary professorships at both the Free University of Berlin and Humboldt University of Berlin, reflecting his strong academic affiliations. His work bridges psychology, behavioral economics, and public policy.

His research focuses on bounded and ecological rationality, experience-based decision-making, risk perception, and behavioral interventions such as boosting—a strategy to enhance citizens' decision-making skills without restricting freedom of choice. He investigates how decision-making evolves across the lifespan and develops evidence-based tools to improve self-control and resistance to misinformation.

Recent publications highlight his engagement with digital misinformation, vaccine hesitancy, AI and collective intelligence, and the psychological underpinnings of impulsivity and deliberate ignorance. His interdisciplinary approach integrates experimental psychology, cognitive modeling, and real-world policy applications.

• Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize (2017)
• Fellow, Association for Psychological Science (2011)
• Charlotte and Karl Bühler Prize (2006)

Hertwig has advised and contributed to major research schools including the International Max Planck Research Schools (LIFE, COMP2PSYCH) and the Max Planck School of Cognition. He has received significant research funding, though specific grants are not listed. He leads a prominent research department and collaborates internationally with experts in psychology, AI, and public health.

He is actively involved in public discourse, delivering keynotes globally on nudging, boosting, digital challenges, and democratic resilience. His leadership in theoretical and applied behavioral science continues to shape the field of decision-making research.