Thinking, Judgement and Decision Making (PSYC90104)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
Contact information
Semester 1
Dr Daniel Bennett
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
The science of judgment and decision-making is an important emerging area of study incorporating elements of psychology and behavioural economic theory. This includes the cognitive basis of decision-making, preference formation, belief updating, and related cognitive processes, using methods from psychology, cognitive neuroscience, and economics. We will explore the biases and heuristics that can lead to bad decisions, the mechanisms of individual and group decision-making, and how we can make better decisions. We will examine “nudges” (e.g., choice architecture to encourage positive decisions), unconscious impacts on decision-making, and the latest in behavioural science to inform our understanding of judgment and decision-making. All of these theories will be discussed in relation to real-world decision scenarios.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this subject will be able to:
- Demonstrate acquired knowledge of the science of judgment and decision-making from a theoretical perspective, and apply it to a range of real-world problems in health and public policy
- Use data and evidence from the literature to develop choice-architecture to address real-world problems
- Students will be able to identify the heuristics and biases that affect our decision-making capabilities
- Apply understanding of the limitations of human decision making to designing mechanisms for improving decision-making capabilities in individuals and teams
Generic skills
- Skills in written communication
- Critical thinking skills, specifically as applied to theoretical analysis
- Problem solving skills
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Corequisites
Non-allowed subjects
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Essay
| Week 10 | 50% |
3 Marked Quizzes - 50 minutes each Approx. after week 4, week 8, week 12.
| After Week; after Week 8; and during the examination period | 50% |
| Hurdle requirement: Attendance at more than 80% of classes is a hurdle requirement | Throughout the semester | N/A |
Additional details
HURDLES
Attendance at more than 80% of classes is a hurdle requirement.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Daniel Bennett Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 36 hours (1 x 2hr lecture and 1 x 1hr tutorial per week for 12 weeks) Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 3 March 2025 to 1 June 2025 Last self-enrol date 14 March 2025 Census date 31 March 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 9 May 2025 Assessment period ends 27 June 2025 Semester 1 contact information
Dr Daniel Bennett
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the 'last day to withdraw without fail') count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
Last updated: 4 March 2025