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ES30037: Experimental, behavioural and neuro economics

[Page last updated: 02 August 2022]

Academic Year: 2022/23
Owning Department/School: Department of Economics
Credits: 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 120
Level: Honours (FHEQ level 6)
Period:
Semester 1
Assessment Summary: EX 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • Exam (EX 100%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites: Before taking this module you must take ES20011
Learning Outcomes: The learning outcomes are that, at the end of the course unit, students will understand (i) the way in which experiments have confirmed or cast doubt on some major propositions from economic theory, e.g. Decision making under uncertainty (ii) the development and use of behavioural economic models to rival those standard in neoclassical economics, e.g. Consumer theory; (iii) the 'apparent' workings of the brain when making 'economic' decisions, e.g. Evidence from fMRI scans and (iv) the public policy relevance of this more empirically based type of economic actor.

Aims: The aim of the Unit is to present a fairly rigorous account of the material that relates to three independent but related areas: experimental economics; behavioural economics and neuroeconomics. Students will gain a critical appreciation of the theoretical tools used in these relatively new but increasingly important areas of economics. This unit can be studied as a self-contained module and contains applications to a variety of economic contexts.

Skills: Using deductive reasoning in abstract models.
Applying theory to specific contexts.
Synthesising relevant material and debates.

Content: The course unit emphasises debate at the theoretical and empirical level, by generally contrasting the prescriptions and findings of conventional neoclassical economics with those who support a more inductive based theorising and laboratory investigation of economic theories. Specific topics include: individual choice and decision making under uncertainty; strategic interaction between behavioural agents; markets with behavioural consumers; the role of the public sector with behavioural actors; behavioural finance, neuroeconomics.

Programme availability:

ES30037 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Economics
  • UHES-AFB03 : BSc(Hons) Economics (Year 3)
  • UHES-AAB03 : BSc(Hons) Economics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
  • UHES-AKB03 : BSc(Hons) Economics with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UHES-AFB04 : BSc(Hons) Economics and Mathematics (Year 3)
  • UHES-AAB04 : BSc(Hons) Economics and Mathematics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
  • UHES-AKB04 : BSc(Hons) Economics and Mathematics with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UHES-ACB04 : BSc(Hons) Economics and Mathematics with Combined Placement and Study Abroad (Year 4)
  • UHES-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Economics and Politics (Year 3)
  • UHES-AAB01 : BSc(Hons) Economics and Politics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
  • UHES-AKB01 : BSc(Hons) Economics and Politics with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UHES-ACB01 : BSc(Hons) Economics and Politics with Combined Placement and Study Abroad (Year 4)
  • UHES-ACB03 : BSc(Hons) Economics with Combined Placement and Study Abroad (Year 4)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2022/23 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2023/24 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2022/23.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.