Christopher K. Hsee

Christopher K. Hsee conducts research in areas including happiness, marketing, psychology, behavioral economics, and cross-cultural issues. His research has been published in a wide range of academic journals and featured in the media. His recent publications include “Idleness aversion” (Psychological Science), “Wealth, warmth and well-being” (Journal of Marketing Research) and “Two recommendations on the pursuit of happiness” (Journal of Legal Studies).

Hsee is among the first western-trained scholars to introduce the science of happiness and the notion of happiness index to China. He has given invited talks to almost all the prominent universities in the US and China. Hsee has also received several prestigious teaching awards, including the McKinsey Award for excellence in teaching from Chicago Booth.

Hsee earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Hawaii in 1989 and a PhD from Yale University in 1993. He joined the Chicago Booth faculty the same year.

Selected Publications

With S. Botti, “Dazed and confused: Curse of control in consumer decision making,” Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes (2010).

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With X. Yang & L. Wang, “Idleness aversion and the need for justifiable busyness,” Psychological Science (2010).

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With J. Zhang, “A General Evaluability Theory,” Perspectives on Psychological Science (2010).

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With Y. Yang et al., “Wealth, warmth and wellbeing,”Journal of Marketing Research (2009).

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With Y. Yang et al., “Specification seeking,” Journal of Consumer Research (2009).

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