Mindworks showcases the work and ideas of world-renowned scientists who help advance our collective understanding of the inner workings of human behavior.
Free and open to the public, Mindworks welcomes visitors to explore its interactive exhibits and museum atmosphere, take part in engaging, hands-on research studies, earn prizes for participating, and apply insights from behavioral science to help understand and improve their lives and communities.
Since Mindworks opened in 2021, more than 70,000 visitors from 75+ countries have already visited the space, and thanks to new group visits and after-hours events, Mindworks continues to grow and thrive.
Mindworks is operated by the Roman Family Center for Decision Research at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and is home to the center's PIMCO Decision Research Laboratories.
Discover the science behind your likes, dislikes, and decisions. The first new exhibit since our opening in 2021, this interactive experience explores how preferences are shaped and reveals the surprising patterns behind our individual choices.
Learn more and book your free visit today!
Now Open: What Catches Your Mind?
Some of the world’s leading behavioral scientists, including Nicholas Epley and Nobel laureate Richard H. Thaler, teach and conduct groundbreaking research at Chicago Booth. Through the support of the Roman Family Center for Decision Research, PIMCO, and others, they and other world-renowned Booth researchers are advancing the field of behavioral science through cutting-edge research.
Mindworks plays an important role in discovering new truths about human judgment and decision-making, explaining to a broad audience the kinds of predictable errors we all make, and demonstrating how to avoid those errors in order to live happier and healthier lives.
We offer a number of hands-on learning exhibits that are free and open to the public, and we reward people for participating in research experiments.
What We Do
At Mindworks, we seek to advance the understanding of human behavior. Through empirical data collection and analysis, scientists generate exciting insights that are changing the world.
Why We Do It
See how behavioral scientists explore judgment and decision-making through controlled experiments, and earn prizes for your time.
Why You Should Participate
“Mindworks is the only place where you can simultaneously learn about the field of behavioral science and advance it by participating in research. You will learn something new about yourself every visit, because research is constantly progressing.”
—Nicholas Epley, John Templeton Keller Professor of Behavioral Science, Neubauer Family Faculty Fellow, and Faculty Director of the Roman Family Center for Decision Research
Discover one of our interactive exhibits below, or visit Exhibits.
We frequently make quick judgments about what we like—from faces to furniture, colors to cars. But what shapes these preferences?
What Catches Your Mind?
Details usually make things feel realistic and true. What happens when details play tricks on our decision-making?
What Feels True?
Every day we make choices that involve risks and rewards. How can we better understand the ways our minds process these trade-offs?
Are You a Risk Taker?
Are you ready to plan your visit? We look forward to having you. Schedule now.
Schedule Your Visit
Learn more about our working behavioral science lab and interactive discovery center in downtown Chicago.
Explore Mindworks
We are conveniently located on Michigan Avenue in the Loop. Our researchers can’t wait to meet you!
Visit Mindworks
Every visitor who participates in a study will earn prizes such as clothing, discounts to museums, and gift cards for local restaurants.
Earn Prizes
Whether you’re a teacher looking to arrange a field trip or a scholar exploring new ways to make behavioral science more accessible, we’re here to help.
Resources for Educators