Tess Wilkinson-Ryan L’05, G’06, PhD’08 studies the psychology of legal decision-making. Her research addresses the role of moral judgment in legal decision-making, with a particular focus on private contracts and negotiations.
She uses experimental methods from psychology and behavioral economics to ask how people draw on their moral intuitions to motivate or inform legal choices. Recent research topics include mortgage borrowing and default, retirement planning, contract precautions, and the cognitive and emotional response to breach of contract.
In 2012, Wilkinson-Ryan was awarded the A. Leo Levin Award for Excellence in Teaching an Introductory Course.