Not available in 2020/21
PB415 Half Unit
Behavioural Science
This information is for the 2020/21 session.
Teacher responsible
Prof Paul Dolan QUE.3.08
Availability
This course is available on the MPA in International Development, MPA in Public Policy and Management, MPA in Public and Economic Policy, MPA in Public and Social Policy, MPA in Social Impact, MSc in Environmental Economics and Climate Change, MSc in Organisational and Social Psychology, MSc in Psychology of Economic Life, MSc in Social and Cultural Psychology and MSc in Social and Public Communication. This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.
This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations and room sizes permit.
This is a capped course. In teaching Week 1 places will be allocated to students from the Department of Psychological and Behavioural Science on a first come first served basis. At the start of Week 2 any remaining places will be allocated to students from other departments, again on a first come first served basis.
Course content
This course aims to introduce students to the main concepts and tools of behavioural science. To achieve this aim, the course is based around ten lectures covering: 1) what is behavioural science?; 2) choices under risk and uncertainty; 3) intertemporal decisions; 4) social and moral preferences; 5) biases and heuristics and rules of thumb; 6) the role of emotions in decision making; 7) dual-process models of behaviour; 8) the power of nudges; 9) compensating behaviours; 10) ethical considerations.
Teaching
10 hours of lectures and 10 hours of seminars in the MT.
There are ten topics, and the seminars allow for in depth discussion and analysis of the issues raised in the lectures.
Formative coursework
Students will be expected to produce 1 essay (1000 words) in the MT.
Indicative reading
Rabin, M. (1998). Psychology and Economics. Journal of Economic Literature, 36, 11-46.
Weber, E.U., and Johnson, E.J. (2009). Mindful judgment and decision making. Annual Review of Psychology, 60, 53-85.
Loewenstein, G., Weber, E.U., Hsee, C.K., and Welch, N. (2001). Risk as feelings. Psychological Bulletin, 127, 267-286.
Dolan P, Hallsworth M, Halpern D, King D, Metcalfe R, Vlaev I, Influencing behaviour: the mindspace way, Journal of Economic Psychology, 33, 1, 264-277, 2012.
Thaler, R. and Sunstein, C. (2003) Libertarian paternalism, American Economic Review, 93, 2, 175-179.
Assessment
Essay (100%, 2500 words) in the LT.
Important information in response to COVID-19
Please note that during 2020/21 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the situation of students in attendance on campus and those studying online during the early part of the academic year. For assessment, this may involve changes to mode of delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.
Key facts
Department: Psychological and Behavioural Science
Total students 2019/20: Unavailable
Average class size 2019/20: Unavailable
Controlled access 2019/20: No
Value: Half Unit
