Since our inception in 1977, the Hokkaido University Department of Behavioral Science has pursued front-line research focused on the micro-macro interplay between the human mind and society. Using theory and methods from social psychology, cognitive science, social science, neuroscience, and biology, we strive to cover a broad range of topics, all with direct implications for topical social issues and public policy considerations. For example, theories relating to the the adaptive and cognitive foundations of cooperation, the origins and transmission of culture, social decision making, and associations between social structure and psychology all inform our thinking and empirical work.
The value of our research achievements as a world-standard department have been widely recognized, with the Hokkaido University Department of Behavioral Science selected for the prestigious JSPS 21st COE Program in 2003-2007 and 2008-2012, as well as Center of Excellence grants in 2011-2013.
Through the Global COE Program in 2008, we were able to develop a large-scale experiment facility on campus. This facility continues to be maintained and well used in association with the Center for Experimental Research in the Social Sciences (CERSS). Since 2014, CERSS has added cutting edge fMRI facilities to its arsenal of equipment, with the department now regularly conducting neuroscience experiments, alongside our behavioral experiments in the existing lab facilities.
Research conducted in our department is regularly published in top social- and natural-science journals, and we are known as a global focal point for bleeding-edge empirical work that investigates associations between the micro and macro features of our world.
