BAS5525 · Advanced understanding of behaviour and decision making

Overview

Human behaviour is complex. Shaped by current and emerging social and environmental factors, behaviour is also rooted in evolved and instinctive ways of functioning. To strengthen and expand your understanding of human behaviour for change, this unit delves deep into the latest theories and thinking about why, when, and how behaviours occur. The unit considers behaviour from various lenses and schools of thought, and draws on key theory and understanding from disciplines such as psychology, sociology, and behavioural economics. You will learn about a range of constructs and theoretical frameworks around behavioural drivers and barriers, and the influence of personal, social, and environmental factors on behaviour, such as personality, culture, and context. You will explore and apply practical decision-making frameworks that take into account how people behave, and grapple with key questions and arguments around why and how certain behavioural interventions work. Finally, you will be introduced to emerging topics in behavioural science and behaviour change, including behavioural spill-over, behavioural contagion, resistance to change, and the role of groups and social movements as catalysts for change. You will understand the importance of applying an evidence-based approach to advancing knowledge in behavioural science, develop an attitude and mindset towards decision-making that values rigour, clarity and precision, actively critique existing and emerging theories and models, and contribute to dialog around future theoretical advancements and applications

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Describe the theoretical, methodological, and practical approaches to how we understand and conceptualise human behaviour and how it changes, from a range of disciplines, lenses and perspectives;
2. Critically evaluate and synthesise relevant theories seeking to explain why, when, and how behaviour does or does not occur, in the context of behaviour change;
3. Critically appraise how research evidence on advanced and emerging themes of human behaviour has been conducted, reported, and applied in context;
4. Effectively communicate scientific ideas and findings in both persuasive and non-persuasive formats to diverse audiences;
5. Participate in cutting-edge discourse about behaviour and decision-making with experts in the field.

Workload

In total, you can expect to commit a total of ~144 hours of work across the teaching period. • 2 hours of synchronous workshops per week, delivered on-campus, or online in the evenings • You will also engage in 10 hours of independent study per week or equivalent, including asynchronous study using Moodle; divided approximately into 6 hours of engagement with materials and 4 hours towards assignments.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.