Geoffrey Lawrence Cohen
Professor of Organizational Behavior (by courtesy)
James G. March Professor of Organizational Studies in Education and Business, Graduate School of Education
Professor of Psychology, School of Humanities and Sciences
Lecturer in Management
Academic Area:
Academic Degrees
- PhD in Psychology, Stanford University, 1998
- BA in Psychology, Cornell University, 1992
Research Statement
Professor Cohen's research examines processes related to identity maintenance and their implications for social problems. One primary aim of his research is the development of theory-driven, rigorously tested intervention strategies that further our understanding of the processes underpinning social problems and that offer solutions to alleviate them. Two key questions lie at the core of his research: “Given that a problem exists, what are its underlying processes?” And, “Once identified, how can these processes be overcome?” One reason for this interest in intervention is his belief that a useful way to understand psychological processes and social systems is to try to change them. He is also interested in how and when seemingly brief interventions, attuned to underlying psychological processes, produce large and long-lasting psychological and behavioral change.