b. 1965
Nick Chater is a British behavioral scientist and cognitive psychologist, currently Professor of Behavioural Science at Warwick Business School. He is known for his work on the foundations of cognition, rationality, and language, arguing that the mind is fundamentally shallow and constructs meaning in the moment rather than drawing on deep mental representations.
Authored 'The Mind is Flat' (2018), arguing against deep unconscious mental structures
Co-developed the 'simplicity theory' of cognition with Paul Vitanyi and others
Co-authored 'The Language Game' (2022) with Morten Christiansen on language as improvisation
Advisor to the UK Behavioural Insights Team ('Nudge Unit')
Fellow of the Cognitive Science Society and the British Academy