Dr. Amitai Shenhav

Associate Professor

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Biography

Amitai Shenhav is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley. He holds a Ph.D. from Harvard University and specializes in Cognitive Neuroscience. His research focuses on the neural computational mechanisms underlying motivation, affect, decision-making, and cognitive control. Shenhav's work has been widely published, including notable contributions to journals like Trends in Cognitive Sciences, Nature Human Behavior, and PLOS Computational Biology. He has explored various domains such as the affective gradient hypothesis and the influences of reward and punishment on cognitive control. His lab, the Shenhav Lab, is involved in innovative research aimed at understanding the intricacies of cognitive processes and decision-making behaviors.

Research Interests

Cognitive Neuroscience Neural Computational Mechanisms Motivation Affect Decision-Making Cognitive Control

Requirements for University of California, Berkeley

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
GRE Subject
Overall Score
Required:500
Overall
Required:500
TOEFL
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree or recognized equivalent Preparation comparable to undergraduate major at Berkeley in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics 2 full years lower-division work (Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Multivariable Calculus) 8 one-semester upper-division courses (Real Analysis, Complex Analysis, Abstract Algebra, Linear Algebra)
Application Checklist
  • Graduate Application
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Personal History Statement
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Unofficial Transcripts
  • C.V./Resume
  • Course and Textbook List
Specialization Notes

The Mathematics Subject GRE is required for the Fall 2026 admissions cycle. General GRE is optional.