James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2021

BX3124 - Behavioural Economics for Sustainable Policy

Subject Description

Economists (and their models) typically assume that people act rationally, which is a contentious assumption. This subject demonstrates persistent irrational human behaviour (for example cognitive dissonance, procrastination and norm adherence), pointing at failure of rational models. The subject then presents alternative models, which accept irrationality and have more predictive power. The subject provides relevant skills to students in economics and more broadly to students with an interest in psychology or who wish to understand how to nudge human behaviour in a desired direction.

Learning Outcomes

• design an experiment for which behavioural and rational models predict opposing outcomes, to infer which of the two models more accurately predicts human behaviour in a chosen setting
• examine and critique how humans make choices, form beliefs and deal with risk and uncertainty and how this may deviate from the assumptions of rational economic models
• describe empirical shortcomings of rational economic models regarding inter-temporal choices and social preferences and compare this to the application of behavioural models

Subject Assessment

• Written > Test/Quiz 1 - (40%) - Individual
• Written > Research report - (20%) - Individual
• Oral > Interview - (40%) - Group

Note that minor variations might occur due to the continuous subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.

Inadmissible Subject Combinations:  EC5217 BX2124

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