Delivered at:: Department of Media

Course type:: Elective course

When:: 4 year, 3 module

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 material.

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

Names terminology and experimental methods of Neuroeconomics
Names main features of the Diffusion Model
Reads and understands results of Neuroeconomics papers
Understands the role of emotion in decision-making and to introduce theories and basic findings of Neuroeconomics in this context

Course Contents

1. Introduction and Scope of Neuroeconomics
2. Neuroanatomy, Neurophysiology, and Neuroimaging: Tools of Neuroeconomics
3. Introducing Brain Models of Decision-Making and Choice
4. Neural Representation of Subjective Value
5. Affective Mechanisms of Decision-Making
6.Dual Process Theory of Decision-Making: Toward a Neuroeconomics Perspective
7. Decision-Making under Risk: Toward a Neuroeconomics Mechanism
8. The Social Brain: Games in the Brain
9. Evolutionary Perspective of Decision-Making

Assessment Elements

Essay
The essay is written at home, the paper is to be between 250 words and 500 words. In the essay students are to display knowing of terminology and touch the idea of Diffusion Model. Before writing discuss topic is discussed between students. Student may use any materials for writing. Follow academic style.
Final Exam
Description. The exam is conducted in the form of an oral interview. The teacher chooses a topic for the discussion from the list that was given to students in advance, The teacher may ask 5-7 questions referring to the topics in the list or the context of the question which was touched in literature or during seminars. The student is not allowed to use any extra materials

Interim Assessment

2025/2026 3rd module
0.5 * Essay + 0.5 * Final Exam

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Bonanno, G., List, C., Tungodden, B., & Vallentyne, P. (2008). Introduction To The Special Issue Of Economics And Philosophy On Neuroeconomics. Economics and Philosophy, (03), 301. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsrep&AN=edsrep.a.cup.ecnphi.v24y2008i03p301.302.00
McCabe, K., & Houser, D. (2008). Neuroeconomics. Bingley: Emerald Group Publishing Limited. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=283962
Politser, P. E. (2008). Neuroeconomics : A Guide to the New Science of Making Choices. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=218094

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Daniel Serra. (2019). Neuroeconomics and modern neuroscience. CEE-M Working Papers. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsrep&AN=edsrep.p.hal.wpceem.halshs.02160907
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

Authors

Tiurkin Mikhail Viacheslavovich

Bachelor’s Programme 'Media Communications'

Introduction to Neuroeconomics

Course Syllabus