Research paper
Danziger S, Levav J, Avnaim-Pesso L. Extraneous factors in judicial decisions. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2011 Apr 26;108(17):6889-92. doi:10.1073/pnas.1018033108. PMID: 21482790. PMCID: PMC3084045.
Why we cite it
Landmark empirical test of the "what the judge ate for breakfast" hypothesis, analyzing 1,112 real parole decisions by 8 experienced Israeli judges across 50 days. Demonstrates that consequential decisions are influenced by extraneous factors — specifically, the timing of food breaks — with favorable rulings resetting after meals. Relevant to the project's themes about how eating patterns affect cognitive function and decision-making beyond just nutrition. Note: the study has been contested by reanalyses suggesting case-ordering effects may partially explain the pattern, though the broader principle of decision fatigue is well-supported.