MKW3701 - Neuroscience of decision-making: An introduction - 2018

The main objective of this unit is to introduce a novel interdisciplinary field characterised by the utilisation of neuroscientific and behavioural methods to understand and predict economic behaviours, including consumer behaviour. A major emphasis will be given to the fields of neuromarketing and neuroeconomics, and to their applications.

This unit will be relevant for business students without any background in neuroscience, yet interested in cutting-edge approaches that integrate knowledge from several scientific fields. This unit may also appeal to students from biomedical disciplines, in particular psychology and neuroscience, and also to social sciences students.

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

1. understand basic fundamentals of neuroanatomy and neuroimaging methods necessary to understand most published studies in the fields of neuroeconomics and neuromarketing
2. understand basic principles of neural and cognitive processes underlying economic, financial and social decision-making processes
3. understand the main results obtained in the field of consumer neuroscience
4. understand issues related to how brain sciences can realistically contribute to business practices
5. develop important ethical values: how can neuroscience be used for marketing purposes without harming consumer's interests and rights? Are neuromarketing consultancy companies truly able to help businesses, or are they misleading business practitioners?
6. develop skills in innovation and application of research skills in the professional world: how to use the knowledge and methods of cognitive psychology and neuroscience in the field of economics and business.

Within semester assessment: 50% + Examination: 50%

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities. The unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

See also Unit timetable information