LDI Research Seminar featuring George Loewenstein, PhD: Basic and Applied Research on Conflict of Interest

LDI Research Seminar Series

George Loewenstein, PhD
Professor of Economics and Psychology
Carnegie Mellon University
Basic and Applied Research on Conflict of Interest

February 15, 2002 12:00 p.m.
Colonial Penn Center Auditorium

Biosketch Abstract

Biosketch:
George Loewenstein is Professor of Economics and Psychology in the Department of Social and Decision Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University. He has a PhD in economics from Yale University and has published in the areas of economics, psychology, law, consumer behavior, and medical decision making. His major research interests are the psychology of decision making (with a special focus on intertemporal choice) and applications of psychology to economics (with a current focus on the role of emotions in economics).

Abstract:
Dr. Loewenstein will discuss research on conflicts of interest -- situations in which the personal interests of physicians and other medical personnel diverge from their professional duties. The research explores the psychological underpinnings of conflicts of interest and highlights the virtual impossibility of maintaining impartiality in the face of conflicts of interest which is due, in part, to the misconception of most people that they themselves are not vulnerable to the problem. The primary research was conducted in domains other than medicine, but he will draw out its implications for medicine, and will distribute a paper that reviews some of the literature on conflict of interest in medicine.