People on the ice with backpacks and ice drills.

What ice-fishing competitions reveal about human decision-making

An international team of researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Human Development, the Cluster of Excellence “Science of Intelligence” at TU Berlin and the University Eastern Finland in Joensuu has carried out an unusual study in the frozen landscapes of Finland. The researchers used ice-fishing competitions as a natural setting to investigate human foraging behavior. The results of the study have been published in Science
Ralph Hertwig in front of a black background

ZEIT-Podcast „Nur eine Frage“ with Ralph Hertwig – Is the internet destroying democracy? 

In the latest episode of the german podcast “Nur eine Frage” (Just a question), psychologist Ralph Hertwig, director of the Center for Adaptive Rationality, answers questions from ZEIT editor-in-chief Jochen Wegner.
This picture shows the launch of the mobile MRI of the Max Planck Institute for Human Development.

Max Planck Institute for Human Development celebrates new mobile MRI

The Max Planck Institute for Human Development’s new mobile MRI scanner brings state-of-the-art imaging directly to the field—without compromising data quality. The highly sensitive 1.5 Tesla enables researchers to study environmental influences on the brain in real conditions; trips into nature and to rural and remote regions are planned.
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Our Institute in the media

Here you can find links to selected articles, radio- and TV reports about the activities of the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in 2025.
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Join our research – become part of our studies

The Max Planck Institute for Human Development is always looking for adults and children of all ages, who would like to take part in studies.
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About our Institute

Get to know us – our Research Center and Groups, our service structure, and what drives us in our scientific work.




Journal Article
Ghose, U., Krämer, M. D., Richter, D., Wagner, G. G., Infurna, F. J., Ram, N., & Gerstorf, D. (2026). How spousal bereavement shapes life satisfaction: Stability and change across historical time. European Journal of Personality, 40(2), 268–285. https://doi.org/10.1177/08902070251336534
Journal Article
Hechtlinger, S., Schulze, C., Leuker, C., & Hertwig, R. (2026). The psychology of life's most important decisions. American Psychologist, 81(2), 157–183. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0001439
Journal Article
Garrido, D., Gómez-Pérez, M. M., Petrova, D., Catena, A., & Garcia-Retamero, R. (2026). Health-related behaviors and family quality of life in autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Research in Autism, 132, Article 202876. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reia.2026.202876

Exhibition by Peter Weitzner | Schritte ins Unbekannte (steps into the unknown)

Feb 6, 2026 06:00 PM (Local Time Germany) - Apr 10, 2026 06:00 PM
Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Lentzeallee 94, 14195 Berlin, Room: Foyer

LIP-MBE External Colloquium: Lina Skora, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Germany- "Title TBA"

Lina Skora, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Germany
Apr 29, 2026 01:00 PM (Local Time Germany)
Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Lentzeallee 94, 14195 Berlin, Room: Small Conference Room

LIP External Colloquium: Dave Clewett, University of California, Los Angeles, USA - "Title TBA"

Dave Clewett, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
May 20, 2026 01:00 PM (Local Time Germany)
Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Lentzeallee 94, 14195 Berlin, Room: 299

LIP External Colloquium: Hadas Okon-Singer, University of Haifa, Israel -„Title TBA“

Viola Störmer, Dartmouth College, USA
May 27, 2026 01:00 PM (Local Time Germany)
Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Lentzeallee 94, 14195 Berlin, Room: Small Conference Room

LIP External Colloquium: Steve Boker, University of Virginia, USA - "Title TBA"

Steve Boker, University of Virginia, USA
Jun 10, 2026 01:00 PM (Local Time Germany)
Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Lentzeallee 94, 14195 Berlin, Room: Small Conference Room



Current Job Openings
We are looking for qualified and motivated professionals to join our Research Center and Services. Here you can find all open positions along with details about responsibilities and requirements.



 
View from above of a table with laptops on it and people holding their hands over each other
The Max Planck Institute for Human Development is committed to promoting equal opportunities for all genders. We take both organizational and personnel measures to facilitate the reconciliation of work and family life and to promote women’s careers. Our aim is to ensure a positive environment that promotes and supports excellence.
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The Max Planck Institute for Human Development provides many opportunities for predocs. Among others, the two International Max Planck Research Schools at the Institute as well as the Max Planck School of Cognition provide an excellent training context.

 
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