BAEcon Economics

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This course will introduce students to the foundations of behavioural science, as well as its implementation in policy settings. The focus of the module (and the assessment) will be on the applied aspects of these ideas and theories. We will offer empirical examples, real-world insights, and robust evidence of success, and failure. It will look at some of the ethical issues raised, e.g. accusations of ‘manipulation’. It will ask if these ideas are biased towards WEIRD contexts – that is, western, educated, industrialised, rich and democratic. By the end of this module you will have a good introductory understanding of applied behavioural science but you will also have developed your critical thinking skills, these are invaluable for all future career paths.

ECON10232 or ECON20232 or ECON10172 are pre-requisites

The unit aims to:

•    Provide an introductory grounding on the theoretical foundations of behavioural science.

•    Critically investigate how the theories of behavioural science have been applied in the public and private sector around the world.

•    Support students’ critical thinking about how these ideas might be further developed and applied to policy issues of their choice.
 

Students who studied the material on this unit and engaged with the assessment tasks will have demonstrated that they understand how behavioural science can be applied to support outcomes in the public and private sphere.

This knowledge is increasingly important in many environments as organisations turn to behavioural insights to work towards their respective aims. Being able to demonstrate research experience in this field and the ability to communicate relevant findings will position students well for employment in organisations that have a need for the application of behavioural approaches. 
 

Syllabus (indicative curriculum content):

Introduction to module, and to theories of behavioural science.
Applying the theory: frameworks that can help identify barriers and facilitators to behaviours.
Applications in practice 1: behavioural science in the public sector.
Applications in practice 2: Behavioural science in the private sector.
How to run a behavioural science project.
Introduction to impact evaluation, how can we know if the approach has worked? 
The future of nudge.
Ethics, limitations and criticisms.
Revision.

Synchronous activities:3h lectures/workshops, these workshops will combine lecture type activity with student work (often in groups)

Asynchronous: Study material is provided via the central learning environment (CLE). Supported by the material provided students are expected to prepare and review the material covered in lectures and tutorials

Understand the basics of core underpinning theories of behavioural science and how they are translated into an empirical context.

Collate, critique, and defend different forms of evidence

Critically Assess the application of behavioural science in public policy in different places and contexts

Conduct Independent research to support policy oriented writing

Critical thinking skills

Formative assessment:

Workshop tasks will prepare students for assessments. Each weekly workshop will have tasks for students to prepare (approximately 200 words)

Report (500 words)

Summative assessment:

Project (2,500 words): 100%
 

Formative assessment:

Workshop tasks - Most weeks there will be group wide feedback on the tasks. For one of the workshops students will be able to submit their work prior to the workshop and they will receive feedback on that work.

Report - Brief written feedback and general feedback to the class during workshop

allsworth and Kirkman (2020) Behavioural insights MIT Press Essential Knowledge Series

P. Dolan, M. Hallsworth, D. Halpern, D. King, R. Metcalfe, I. Vlaev, Influencing behaviour: The mindspace way, Journal of Economic Psychology, Volume 33, Issue 1, 2012, Pages 264-277,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joep.2011.10.009.

Behavioural Insights Team (2014) EAST: Four Simple Ways to Apply Behavioural Insights Henrich et al (2010) The weirdest people in the world? Behavioral and Brain Sciences (2010) 33, 61-135 doi:10.1017/S0140525X0999152X

JOHN, P., SMITH, G. and STOKER, G. (2009), Nudge Nudge, Think Think: Two Strategies for Changing Civic Behaviour. The Political Quarterly, 80: 361-370. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-923X.2009.02001.x