Decision Lab

This project explores the question “Is decision-making an art or a science?” using interactive games based on psychology and decision theory. Rather than relying on opinion, these activities show that decisions follow measurable brain processes and predictable patterns.

Decision-making is a science because it follows structured psychological rules and measurable cognitive processes, such as reaction time, conflict, and rational choice.

The Stroop Game demonstrates how decisions are influenced automatically and often without conscious control. Players are asked to identify the ink color of a word while ignoring the word’s meaning.

When the word and color conflict, reaction times slow down and mistakes increase. This shows that decision-making is affected by underlying brain processes that can be measured and predicted.

This game is based on the Prisoner’s Dilemma from game theory. Players make a single decision to either cooperate or betray, without knowing what the other player (the computer) will choose.

The outcomes follow a fixed structure: betrayal may feel rational individually, but often leads to worse collective results. Reaction time and choice patterns show that decisions are guided by predictable strategic rules rather than intuition alone.

Together, these games show that decision-making can be studied scientifically. Choices are shaped by cognitive conflict, time pressure, and incentive structures, all of which produce measurable and repeatable outcomes.

The concepts and mechanics used in this project are informed by established research in psychology, neuroscience, and decision theory. These sources guided the design of the Stroop Game and the Trust or Betray (Prisoner’s Dilemma) simulation.

• The Neuroscience of Making a Decision
• A Scientific Approach to Decision-Making
• The Art of Making Decisions
• Making Right Choices
• Bridging the Gap Between Science and Decision Making