Магистратура
2024/2025
Поведенческая экономика
Статус:
Курс по выбору (Экономика и экономическая политика)
Направление:
38.04.01. Экономика
Кто читает:
Департамент теоретической экономики
Где читается:
Факультет экономических наук
Когда читается:
1-й курс, 3 модуль
Формат изучения:
без онлайн-курса
Охват аудитории:
для всех кампусов НИУ ВШЭ
Преподаватели:
Саху Собхагья
Прогр. обучения:
Экономика и экономическая политика
Язык:
английский
Кредиты:
3
Course Syllabus
Abstract
While traditional microeconomics assumes rationality in human behavior, reality often deviates from this assumption. Humans frequently demonstrate psychological biases in their economic choices. This advanced elective course aims to delve into these biases, offering a comprehensive exploration of contemporary behavioral models that explain this 'irrationality'. The focus is on applying these models to understand the economic decisions of individuals, particularly in developing countries. The course unfolds in three segments: first, it presents a broad spectrum of findings from behavioral economics to illustrate real-world economic decision-making; second, it equips students with theoretical frameworks and modeling techniques to analyze these biases; and third, it introduces the emerging domain of 'behavioral' development economics.
Learning Objectives
- Understand key concepts and theories in Behavioral Economics.
- Analyze how psychological factors impact economic decision-making.
- Apply Behavioral Economics theories to real-world economic problems.
- Develop critical thinking skills in the context of economic behavior.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- Correlation vs. causation
- Understand the foundational principles and core questions of Behavioral Economics.
- Identify systematic inconsistencies in human decision-making that deviate from the rational choice model.
- Explain the concept of bounded rationality and its implications for economic behavior.
- Recognize common heuristics and cognitive biases that influence judgment and choice.
- Apply the concept of mental accounting to explain real-world financial decisions.
- Use Prospect Theory to analyze how people evaluate gains, losses, and risk.
- Explain how the availability and representativeness heuristics shape beliefs.
- Identify and critique logical errors such as the conjunction fallacy.
- Understand how the "law of small numbers" leads to misinterpretation of statistical evidence.
- Analyze behavioral patterns arising from the gambler’s fallacy and the hot-hand bias.
- Recognize how partition dependence affects probability judgments and decision-making.
- Compare and contrast Expected Utility Theory and Prospect Theory in modeling risky choices.
- Measure and interpret individual risk preferences using experimental and survey-based methods.
- Diagnose empirical puzzles that challenge the predictions of Expected Utility Theory.
- Apply the concept of expectations-based reference points.
- Evaluate how insights from Behavioral Economics inform policy design and interventions in developing economies.
- Differentiate between exponential, hyperbolic, and quasi-hyperbolic discounting models.
- Use time-inconsistency models to explain behaviors related to savings, health, and education.
Course Contents
- Introduction
- Role of context in choice
- Beliefs and Expectations
- Choice under Risk and Uncertainty
- Time Discounting and Social Preferences
- Causal Inference & RCT
- Applications to Development Economics
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- A course in behavioral economics, Angner, E., 2016
- An introduction to behavioral economics, Wilkinson, N., 2012
- Mostly harmless econometrics : an empiricist's companion, Angrist, J. D., 2009
- Principles of behavioral economics : microeconomics and human behavior, Dhami, S., 2025
- Thinking, fast and slow, 499 p., Kahneman, D., 2013
- Wilkinson, N., & Klaes, M. (2012). An Introduction to Behavioral Economics (Vol. 2nd ed). Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1525059
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Mastering 'Metrics : the path from cause to effect, Angrist, J. D., 2015
- Misbehaving. The making of behavioral economics, Thaler, R. H., 2015
- Nudge : improving decisions about health, wealth and happiness, Thaler, R. H., 2009
- The handbook of experimental economics. Vol.2: ., , 2015