Elective Course - Nudges towards better decisions

Course content

Consuming environmentally-friendly products, registering as an organ donor, or receiving a vaccination – these decisions may have important consequences for the decision maker but also for society. How can one increase the quality of individual decisions while not blocking certain options and therefore restricting the decision makers’ freedom of choice? This course deals with the question how to change the choice architecture in order to improve decisions, so-called “nudges”. The course will cover (a) nudges’ theoretical foundation, (b) various examples of application in different areas of decision making, and (c) how to integrate nudges into policy making. It utilizes a multi-disciplinary perspective on human decision-making, including research papers from psychology, philosophy, economics, and related areas.

Education
Learning outcome

The purpose of these modules is to expand knowledge or put the psychological subject area into perspective through theoretical or empirical specialisation within subject areas within or related to psychology. Upon completion of the elective subject module within the Department of Psychology, students are able to:

  • describe and account for relevant concepts and themes within the elective subject
  • describe and account for relevant methodological approaches in relation to the subject matter for the elective subject
  • explain contexts, analyse and/or conduct procedures relevant to the elective subject under supervision.

classes

Not relevant
ECTS
10 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment
Each student must submit a final paper on a self chosen subject.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Criteria for exam assessment
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Class Instruction
  • 28
  • English
  • 28