PS512-6-SP-CO:
Decision making science in theory and practice
2021/22
Psychology
Colchester Campus
Spring
Undergraduate: Level 6
Current
Monday 17 January 2022
Friday 25 March 2022
15
06 May 2021
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
BA C841 Economics with Psychology,
BA C851 Economics with Psychology (Including Year Abroad),
BA C861 Economics with Psychology (Including Placement Year),
BSC C148 Economics with Psychology,
BSC C149 Economics with Psychology (Including Foundation Year),
BSC C158 Economics with Psychology (Including Year Abroad),
BSC C168 Economics with Psychology (Including Placement Year)
Can psychology help make better decisions? Yes! From curbing climate change to selecting the best candidate for the job, decision-making science has many important insights to offer, which is why it is becoming increasingly popular in education, politics, business, economics and health.
Governments, businesses and charities all understand the value of identifying decision pitfalls (e.g., social and cognitive biases) and using strategies to overcome these. In this module, you will learn about decision-making theories and gain the skills to understand, predict and improve people's decisions for real-world issues (e.g. `how can we help doctors better diagnose patients?`, `how do we motivate people to exercise more often?`, `how can we encourage people to be more prosocial?`).
The module aims to develop an understanding of the psychological processes underpinning human decision-making. Students will develop a strong command of the theories and empirical findings in decision making science and will learn about how those can be used to tackle some major social challenges, such as climate change or antimicrobial resistance.
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:
1. Be familiar with key theories and models of decision-making science and how these can be used to address current societal challenges.
2. Develop a critical understanding of current research in judgement and decision-making science (e.g., biases, heuristics).
3. Design and apply basic behavioural interventions for a range of context (environmental, medical, and social).
Weekly lectures will consist of an introduction to each topic of the module and a review of research on the topic. Students will learn based on a diverse set of materials such as slides, videos, quizzes, team work activities, in class presentation.
The module will consist of 10 lectures of 2 hours each.
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Mini thought pieces |
|
15% |
| Coursework |
Research Briefing paper |
|
85% |
| Coursework |
REASSESSMENT STUDENTS ONLY - Thought Pieces |
|
|
| Exam |
Main exam: 24hr during Summer (Main Period)
|
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Prof Marie Juanchich, email: m.juanchich@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Marie Juanchich, Dr Miroslav Sirota, Dr Jonathan Rolison, Dr Alasdair Clarke
m.juanchich@essex.ac.uk
Yes
No
No
Dr Paula Miles
University of St Andrews
Director of Teaching, Senior Lecturer
Available via Moodle
Of 340 hours, 20 (5.9%) hours available to students:
320 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
Psychology
Disclaimer: The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its Module Directory is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can
be necessary to make changes, for example to programmes, modules, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include a change of law or regulatory requirements,
industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key personnel, change in government policy, or withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to modules may for example consist
of variations to the content and method of delivery or assessment of modules and other services, to discontinue modules and other services and to merge or combine modules.
The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications and module directory.
The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.