Introduction to Neuroeconomics

Bachelor 2022/2023

Type: Elective course (Journalism)

Area of studies: Journalism

Delivered by: Institute of Media

Where: Faculty of Creative Industries

When: 4 year, 3 module

Mode of studies: distance learning

Online hours: 20

Open to: students of all HSE University campuses

Instructors: Alexander Kupriyanov, Tatiana Tikhomirova

Language: English

ECTS credits: 4

Contact hours: 6

Full Syllabus

Abstract

Economics, psychology, and neuroscience are converging today into a unified discipline of Neuroeconomics with the ultimate aim of creating a single, general theory of human decision-making. Neuroeconomics provides biologists, economists, psychologists and social scientists with a deeper understanding of how they make their own decisions and how others decide. Neuroscience, when allied with psychology and economics, creates powerful new models to explain why we make decisions. Neurobiological mechanisms of decision-making, decisions under risk, trust and cooperation will be central issues in this course. You will be provided with the most recent evidence from brain-imaging techniques (fMRI, TMS, etc.) and introduced to the explanatory models behind them. The course does not require any prior study of economics and neuroscience; however, it might require you to study novel interdisciplinary materials. The course provides an introduction to the methodology, assumptions, and main findings of Neuroeconomics. Our students have different backgrounds; therefore, I have adapted and simplified the course to allow all students to understand the interdisciplinary content. This course will help you to start your progress in the field of Neuroeconomics and to further develop your skills during other more advanced courses and trainings in the future. For some topics, the course will also provide supplementary videos to reveal the opinions of leading experts in the field. Each module provides optional reading. This course is intended for master's students who have successfully completed the disciplines: "History and Theory of Media", "Media Law", "Media Economics".

Learning Objectives

To familiarize how neuroscience, in conjunction with psychology and Economics, creates powerful new models that explain why we make decisions.
To familiarize the neurobiological mechanisms of decision - making, risk-taking, trust and collaboration.

Expected Learning Outcomes

Student knows the main features of the Diffusion Model, the most popular theoretical model of decision-making in Neuroeconomics, applies this model to single-neuron activity in a monkey cortex and to the human brain in order to understand how brains program decisions.
To be able to apply basic concepts of representation and subjective value in research
To be able to discuss and apply the concept of risk in research on neuroeconomics
To be able to discuss the papers applying dual process theory as a theoretical background
To interprete the decision making process through the optics of neuroscience
To know methods to measure brain activity
To use the approaches of neuroeconomics describing and analysing social situations
To use theoretical approaches of dual process theory to create research design for own study
Understands the role of emotion in decision-making and to introduce theories and basic findings of Neuroeconomics in this context.

Course Contents

Introduction and Scope of Neuroeconomics
Neuroanatomy, Neurophysiology, and Neuroimaging: Tools of Neuroeconomics
Introducing Brain Models of Decision-Making and Choice
Neural Representation of Subjective Value
Affective Mechanisms of Decision-Making
Dual Process Theory of Decision-Making: Toward a Neuroeconomics Perspective
Decision-Making under Risk: Toward a Neuroeconomics Mechanism
The Social Brain: Games in the Brain
Evolutionary Perspective of Decision-Making

Assessment Elements

Tests
Peer review tasks

Interim Assessment

2022/2023 3rd module
The final grade calculation rule is published on the online course page.

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Glimcher, P. W. (2009). Neuroeconomics : Decision Making and the Brain (Vol. 1st ed). Amsterdam: Academic Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=248080
Kosslyn S. M. The Oxford Handbook of Cognitive Neuroscience, Volume 2: The Cutting Edges. – Oxford University Press, 2013. – Т. 2.
Paul W. Glimcher, & Ernst Fehr. (2014). Neuroeconomics : Decision Making and the Brain (Vol. 2nd edition). Amsterdam: Academic Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=486337

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Ochsner K., Kosslyn S. M., Kosslyn S. M. (ed.). The Oxford Handbook of Cognitive Neuroscience, Volume 1: Core Topics. – Oxford University Press, 2013. – Т. 1.
Politser, P. Neuroeconomics: A Guide to the New Science of Making Choices / Peter Politser. – New York: Oxford University Press, 2008. - Текст: электронный // DB oxford Scholarship Online [сайт]. – URL: https://www.oxfordscholarship.com/view/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195305821.001.0001/acprof-9780195305821?rskey=Fxn1Xh&result=4

Course Syllabus