PS512-6-SP-CO:
Decision making science in theory and practice
2023/24
Psychology
Colchester Campus
Spring
Undergraduate: Level 6
ReassessmentOnly
Monday 15 January 2024
Friday 22 March 2024
15
13 November 2023
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
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?
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.
The aims of this module are:
- To develop an understanding of the psychological processes underpinning human decision-making.
- To develop a strong command of the theories and empirical findings in decision making science and how these can be used to tackle some major social challenges, such as climate change or antimicrobial resistance.
By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:
- Be familiar with key theories and models of decision-making science and how these can be used to address current societal challenges.
- Develop a critical understanding of current research in judgement and decision-making science (e.g., biases, heuristics).
- Design and apply basic behavioural interventions for a range of context (environmental, medical, and social).
No additional information available.
This module will be delivered via:
- One 2-hour lecture per week.
The 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 above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's
reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Exam |
Main exam: Remote, Open Book, 120 minutes during Summer (Main Period)
|
| Exam |
Reassessment Main exam: Remote, Open Book, 120 minutes during September (Reassessment 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 25 hours, 25 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
Psychology
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