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PS30170: Neuroeconomics

[Page last updated: 02 August 2022]

Academic Year: 2022/23
Owning Department/School: Department of Psychology
Credits: 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 120
Level: Honours (FHEQ level 6)
Period:
Semester 1
Assessment Summary: ES 80%, OR 20%
Assessment Detail:
  • ORAL PRESENTATION (OR 20%)
  • ESSAY (ES 80%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites: Before taking this module you must take PS20167 AND take PS20168
Learning Outcomes: After successfully completing this unit students will be able to:
* Critically evaluate key theories, research and methods within economics, behavioural economics and psychology exploring how humans make decisions in real world economic contexts.
* Synthesise key theories, research and methods within economics, behavioural economics and psychology exploring how humans make decisions in real world economic contexts in order to construct an integrative, neuroeconomic, viewpoint on the the behavioural and biological processes underlying human economic decision-making, and be able to defend this viewpoint.
* Critically evaluate how neuroeconomic research can be readily applied to real-world decision environments within industry and create innovative solutions to real-world problems faced by industry.

Aims: This unit aims to:
* Introduce the student to an interdisciplinary science exploring how humans make real-world economic decisions.
* To appraise theories, research and methods, within economics, behavioural economics and psychology.
* To provide the student with an opportunity to develop an integrative perspective on the behavioural and biological processes underlying human economic decision-making.
* To realise the application of neuroeconomics to understanding real-world economic decision-making.

Skills:
* Comprehensive and scholarly written communication (e.g. essays)
* Concise, time-bound and effective written communication (e.g. briefings / exams)
* Ability to select, summarise and synthesis written information from multiple sources
* Ability to develop rigorous arguments through precise use of concepts and models
* Ability to apply theory into practice
* Ability to select and use appropriate ideas to produce a coherent response to a pre-set question
* Ability to produce work to agreed specifications and deadlines
* Ability to work independently, without close supervision or guidance

Content: This unit will cover:
* An introduction to neuroeconomics
* An introduction to traditional economics, behavioural economics and behavioural finance
* The biological basis of real-world financial decision-making.
* Methods within psychology, neuroscience and physiology commonly used in neuroeconomic research.
* Understanding individual differences in economic decision-making and their biological bases.
* Individual and group economic decision-making.
* Working through real-world problems in order to comprehend the applications of neuroeconomic research to industry.

Programme availability:

PS30170 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Psychology

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.