Berger Institute for Individual and Social Development
Advancing understanding of how people develop, adapt, and thrive.
The Berger Institute at Claremont McKenna College is an interdisciplinary center for research and co-curricular programming focused on contemporary social issues related to human development and well-being. The Institute produces and disseminates high-quality research with implications for theory, policy, and practice, while actively engaging students and faculty in this work.
The central theme guiding the Institute’s research and programming is How We Thrive. Our research examines risk and resilience factors that shape development and well-being, while our programming emphasizes the skills and capacities needed for successful adaptation. We study how individual and social factors influence child development, family well-being, and how people navigate major life transitions and milestones.
Our work addresses diverse social, economic, and demographic contexts—including gender, culture, race, and age—highlighting pathways that support well-being across different life experiences. Guided by ongoing inquiry, the Institute’s research and programming evolve to engage emerging issues relevant to human development and well-being.
Programs
Our programs includes retreats, workshops and a lecture series designed to educate and empower students, with the goal of cultivating practical skills for successful development.
Research
The Institute offers stellar behavioral science research training for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as funding for faculty and student research collaborations.
