
Lecture Dr. Itiel Dror: How to make psychological assessments more objective
Lecture Dr. Itiel Dror: How to make psychological assessments more objective
- Start date
- 18-11-2026 17:00
- End date
- 18-11-2026 18:45
- Location
Abstract
Experts are often (incorrectly) regarded as impartial and objective. In this talk I question this commonly held (false) belief and focus on three questions: Are psychological assessments impartial? (clearly not!). In which case, why are psychological assessments not impartial? And, given the understanding why they are not impartial, what can be done about it so as to make them more objective?
Short bio
Dr. Itiel Dror (PhD Harvard) is a cognitive neuroscientist who is interested in the cognitive architecture that underpins expert decision making. Dror’s research, published in dozens of research articles, cited over 15,000 times (source: Google Scholar), demonstrates human vulnerabilities in expert judgments and decision making. He has worked in a variety of domains, from policing and aviation, to medical experts and bankers, showing that bias and cognitive factors impact even hard working, dedicated and competent experts. In the forensic domain, Dr. Dror has focused attention and highlighted how bias can impact even the more 'objective' scientific domains. Dr. Dror has worked with and trained many agencies in various countries on how to minimise errors and enhance expert decision making. He has also appeared as a meta-expert in court cases in countries all over the world. More information is available here.
Colloquium points
Students will receive 2 colloquium points.