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Dale T. Miller
Dale T. Miller
Professor, Organizational Behavior
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+1 (650) 723-8368
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DaleT.Miller
The Class of 1968 / Ed Zschau Professor of Organizational Behavior
Academic Area: 
Organizational Behavior

Research Statement

Professor Dale Miller's research interests include the impact of social norms on behavior, the role that justice considerations play in individual and organizational decisions, and the conditions under which individuals and organizations can be induced to change course.

Bio

Professor Miller’s research focuses on various aspects of social and group behavior. Long interested in social norms, he has investigated the processes underlying the development, transmission, and modification of group norms. He has been especially interested in the emergence and perpetuation of social norms that lack broad support. A second focus of his research is how the belief that one is moral develops and shapes one’s thoughts and actions. He has also studied and written on behavioral change strategies and interventions.

Professor Miller has served on the editorial board of several scientific journals and currently serves on the editorial board of several scientific journals and currently serves on the editorial boards of the Social Justice Research, Motivational Science, and Psychological Inquiry. He has received numerous awards and has  been a Visiting Fellow at both the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences (Stanford) and the Institute for Advanced Study (Princeton).

At Stanford University since 2002, he is the Class of 1968 / Ed Zschau Professor of Organizational Behavior. He currently teaches the MBA Leadership Laboratory. 

Academic Degrees

  • PhD, University of Waterloo, 1975
  • BA, University of Victoria, 1971

Academic Appointments

  • At Stanford University since 2002
  • Fellow, Institute for Advanced Study, 2001-2002
  • Professor, Princeton University, 1986-2002
  • Visiting Professor, University of Michigan, 1983-1984
  • Associate Professor – Professor, Simon Fraser University, 1981-1986
  • Assistant – Associate Professor, University of British Columbia, 1977-1981
  • Fellow, Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences, 1980-1981
  • Assistant Professor, University of Western Ontario, 1974-1977

Publications

Journal Articles

Changing Norms to Change Behavior
Dale T. Miller, D.A. Prentice. Annual Review of Psychology. August 7, 2015, Vol. 67, Issue 6, Pages 16-32.
The Unhealthy Road Not Taken: Licensing Indulgence By Exaggerating Counterfactual Sins
D.A. Effron, Benoît Monin, Dale T. Miller. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology . 2013, Vol. 49, Issue 3, Pages 573-578.
Inventing Racist Roads Not Taken: The Licensing Effects of Immoral Counterfactual Behaviors
D.A. Effron, Dale T. Miller, Benoît Monin. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 2012, Vol. 103, Issue 6, Pages 916-922.
The Association of Religiosity and Political Conservatism and Pro-Social Orientation: The Role of Political Enagement
A. Malka, Y. Lelkes, S. Srivastava, A.B. Cohen, Dale T. Miller. Political Psychology. 2012, Vol. 33, Issue 2, Pages 275-299.

Courses Taught

Degree Courses

2015-16

OB 209: Leadership Laboratory

In the Leadership Labs class we ask you to consider the question, "Why would someone follow YOU?" This is a course in which you consider what kind of leader you want to be, what kind of leader you are, and how to align your leadership behavior...

OB 630: Social Norms

This course covers research and theory on the origins and function of social norms. Topics include the estimation of public opinion, the function of norms as ideals and standards of judgment, and the impact of norms on collective and individual...

2014-15

GSBGEN 202: Critical Analytical Thinking

The Critical Analytical Thinking (CAT) seminar helps develop and hone the skills needed to analyze complex issues, to formulate well-reasoned arguments and to evaluate others€™ arguments. In sections of 18 students or less, you will analyze,...

OB 523: Expertise through Learning

It is commonly believed that experience is a great teacher. But is it? Do we always learn what we can or should from experience? Research on this question suggests that the answer is no. Often we do not learn all that experience has to teach us...

OB 675: Micro Research Methods

The purpose of this course is to develop students' skill at designing, executing, interpreting, and describing micro-organizational and social psychological research. The course will have a practical focus and will focus on questions such as how...

Stanford University Affiliations

Stanford GSB

Insights by Stanford Business

writtenWhy Social Movements Should Favor Collaboration over Confrontation
May 21, 2015
What the Nature Conservancy can teach other groups fighting for social change.
writtenHow Nonprofits Make the Ask: Framing Donation Requests
November 17, 2014
Giving gifts to donors is not always the best way to seek contributions.
writtenSarah Soule: How Activism Can Fuel Corporate Social Responsibility
October 10, 2014
Activism has catalyzed progress, but companies can be slow to evolve. How can activists know that their efforts matter? And what is the evidence that their work makes a difference?
writtenSusanna Loeb: Don’t Let Data Get in the Driver’s Seat
August 28, 2014
Stanford GSB professor Susanna Loeb warns against an over-reliance on research in education decision-making and argues for a more nuanced approach that blends data and key practitioner insights.
writtenHow Successful Leaders Avoid “Social Good Fatigue”
June 2, 2014
People who choose to work in the social sector benefit from a sense of mission about their work. But how do social sector leaders sustain their motivation, commitment, and passion over the long haul?
writtenDale Miller: Choosing a Board Seat, Advice from the Pros
March 20, 2014
Experienced board members from the Stanford community share their advice for choosing a first time board.
writtenDale Miller: Why Go Nonprofit?
February 27, 2014
Dale Miller brings the expertise and experience of Stanford GSB faculty and alumni to consider the question, “Is nonprofit passé or overlooked?”

School News

writtenSix Faculty Named to Endowed Chairs
April 1, 2009
Professors Anat Admati, Jonathan Berk, Charles Jones, Dale Miller, Jesper Sørensen, and Sarah Soule, have been honored with new academic titles.

Companies & Organizations

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