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Regular version of the site
Bachelor 2019/2020

Introduction to Neuroeconomics: How the Brain Makes Decisions

Type: Elective course (Psychology)
Area of studies: Psychology
Delivered by: School of Psychology
When: 3 year, 1 module
Mode of studies: distance learning
Instructors: Oksana Zinchenko
Language: English
ECTS credits: 3
Contact hours: 2

Course Syllabus

Abstract

The course does not require any prior study of economics and neuroscience; however, it might require you to study novel interdisciplinary materials. The course provides an introduction to the methodology, assumptions, and main findings of Neuroeconomics. Our students have different backgrounds; therefore, I have adapted and simplified the course to allow all students to understand the interdisciplinary content. This course will help you to start your progress in the field of Neuroeconomics and to further develop your skills during other more advanced courses and trainings in the future.
Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

  • To learn the added value of Neuroeconomics
  • To learn major assumptions of decision theories
  • To understand the interdisciplinary nature of Neuroeconomics
  • To discuss possible implications of Neuroeconomics to our fundamental understanding of human behavior
Expected Learning Outcomes

Expected Learning Outcomes

  • Understand that we have to combine various methods to understand mechanisms of decision-making
  • Understand advantages and disadvantaged of various neuroscience methods.
  • Be able to read the results of neuroeconomics studies
Course Contents

Course Contents

  • Introduction to Neuroeconomics
  • Brain anatomy and functions
  • Introducing brain models of decision making and choice
  • Neural representation of the subjective value, basal ganglia and choice value
  • Affective mechanisms of decision-making
  • Dual-processing hypothesis of “temporal discounting”
  • The social brain
  • Taking an evolutionary perspective: the ‘economic animal’
  • Multiple Comparisons
Assessment Elements

Assessment Elements

  • non-blocking In-video quizzes
    In-video quizzes come along with each lecture. They do not count toward your final grade. You will have one attempt to answer each in-video quiz question. They are provided to help you comprehend the content of the lecture.
  • non-blocking The final exam
Interim Assessment

Interim Assessment

  • Interim assessment (1 module)
    The final grade is calculated on the basis of: the final exam (100%). The grades will be given on a scale of 1 to 10 throughout the class.
Bibliography

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

  • Competing conceptions of the individual in recent economics. (2009). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780195189254.003.0008
  • MacKillop, J. (2016). The Behavioral Economics and Neuroeconomics of Alcohol Use Disorders. Alcoholism, Clinical And Experimental Research, 40(4), 672–685. https://doi.org/10.1111/acer.13004

Recommended Additional Bibliography

  • Colin F. Camerer. (2007). Neuroeconomics: Using Neuroscience to Make Economic Predictions. Economic Journal, (519), 26. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0297.2007.02033.x