Psychologist Hal Hershfield studies how thinking about time transforms emotions and alters the judgments and decisions people make. His research concentrates on psychology and long-term decision making, examining how time impacts individuals’ lives—specifically in an era where Americans are living longer. Hershfield utilizes methodological tools such as neuroimaging, eye tracking, archival big data analyses, and virtual reality to investigate psychological components of savings and to enhance the processes that help individuals contend with the looming reality of retirement. His notable discoveries reveal that when people confront their 'future selves,' the emotional connections they experience significantly influence long-term financial and ethical decision making. By altering images to digitally age college students, they demonstrated a direct correlation: those who viewed their future selves were more likely to save a higher percentage of their income compared to those who saw their current images. His dedication to bridging the present with future wellbeing manifests in his efforts to cultivate inclusive learning environments in his classrooms at UCLA Anderson School of Management.
UCLA Anderson School of Management • Los Angeles, CA
Teaches courses in marketing and behavioral decision making, focusing on creating an inclusive and engaging classroom environment.