BEHAVIORAL ECONOMICS: APPLICATIONS

The course aims to provide adequate knowledge of the methods of applying behavioral economics to different fields of interest, presenting what is present in the literature in the various domains in which the behavioral approach has become fundamental and introducing possible developments. Furthermore, in addition to deepening and clarifying the difference between behavioral approaches of nudging and those of boosting the decision-making process, some of the methods used to develop behavioral investigation projects will be introduced, in order to acquire the tools to conduct projects that, starting from the theory of behavioral sciences, allow to intervene to bring about certain changes. Through active work in a group project work, it will be possible to use what has been learned to carry out a behavioral intervention in an organizational context.

Behavioural Economics

(1) Knowledge and understanding: at the end of the course, students will be able to understand the methods and purposes of the application of behavioral sciences, assuming fundamental tools to guide possible changes in the socio-economic field through the behavioral approach. (2) Application of knowledge and understanding: the course provides students with the necessary tools for applied work and, in the classroom laboratory, helps them organize such work, developing the ability to work independently on behavioral intervention projects. (3) Autonomy of judgment: at the end of the course, students will be able to express judgments on different areas in which it is possible to apply what emerges from behavioral economics studies, with awareness of the different steps necessary for a behavioral intervention and the possible pitfalls. (4) Communication skills: the assessment includes the active participation of students, through case discussions, classroom participation and presentations managed independently. (5) Learning skills: at the end of the course, students will be able to elaborate explanations relating to the forms of behavioral intervention and the tools for data collection and analysis.

Choice Architecture, Psychology of Choice. Preferences and Social Preferences, Social Norms and Collective Action, Basic Tools, Nudging, Boosting, Transparency and Moral Heuristics

Required: Soman D. (2015), L'ultimo miglio: creare valore sociale ed economico da intuizioni comportamentali, University of Toronto Press - Cristina Bicchieri, Norms in the Wild, Oxford University Press 2016 Suggested: - Cass R. Sunstein, 2021, Come avviene il cambiamento, Giulio Einaudi Editore - Kahneman D. (2021), Rumore. Un difetto del ragionamento umano, UTET - Hallsworth M., Kirkman E. (2020), Behavioral Insights, MIT Press Essential Knowledge

Lectures, Discussions, Exercises, Case Studies, Flipped classroom

Continuous assessment (30%); final written exam (70%)

28+, timely request, agreement on the subject