Effective Decision Making
Module Description
Module Description
Research has established that we often fall prey to cognitive biases unknowingly, leading to us making suboptimum decisions. This module seeks to examine some of these biases and how they affect our decision making as we re-look at decision making theories (Game Theory).
In this module, we seek answers to the question of, “What constitutes a good decision and what makes for a good decision maker?”
We will also discuss the implications of these biases from the social welfare perspective and explores how we can overcome these biases.
Module Learning Outcomes
At the end of the module, students are expected to be able to:
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Objectively assess the risks or uncertainties associated with the diferent outcomes of a decision
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Identify common cognitive biases that can undermine an objective evaluation of outcomes
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Apply various rational decision-making tools, including non-cooperative game-theoretic techniques to find the optimal choice(s).
Module Outline
Module Outline
Weeks 1, 2, 3 Reference-Dependent Preferences
Weeks 4, 5 Time Inconsistent Preferences
Week 6 Overconfidence
Week 7 Fairness
Weeks 8, 9 Incentives, Motivation and Prosocial Behavior
Weeks 10, 11 Reciprocity
Weeks 12, 13 Final Group Project Presentation
Assessment Methods
Assessment Methods
Class Participation - 15%
Case Discussion – 15%
Group Video assignment + Paper - 30%
Final Group Project - 40%
Reference Books
Reference Books
1. Judgment under uncertainty: Heuristics and biases, edited by D. Kahneman, P. Slovic, A. Tversky,
Cambridge University Press (1982).
2. Gibbons, Robert (1992) A Primer in Game Theory, Harvester Wheatsheaf.
Additional readings will be provided in due course.