Teaching code

4S02512

Teacher

Luca Zarri

Coordinatore

Luca Zarri

Credits

6

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

SECS-P/01 - ECONOMICS

Period

secondo semestre (lauree magistrali) dal Feb 21, 2022 al May 13, 2022.

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars

Learning outcomes

The major goal of this course is to provide students with a better and more rigorous understanding of a number of economic and social phenomena that characterize contemporary advanced economic systems. Several important issues (including consumers' and investors' bounded rationality as well as the so called "happiness paradoxes") can be fruitfully analyzed through the lens of the major theoretical constructs and empirical findings (including experimental evidence) obtained in the last years within the framework of behavioural economics. These topics will be addressed through lectures as well as various forms of interactive teaching managed through the E-learning platform.

Program

1. Introduction. What is 'behavioural economics'? Origins and methodology of behavioural economics. The two 'souls' of behavioural economics: bounded rationality and non-selfish behaviour. Behavioural economics and experimental economics (lab experiments, field experiments and lab-in-the-field experiments).
2. Part One. From full rationality to bounded rationality. Decision making under certainty: preferences and utility. The major cognitive and behavioural biases. Judgment and decision making under risk and uncertainty. Dual Process Theories: System 1 and System 2. Framing effects, loss aversion, endowment effect, intertemporal choices and present-biased preferences. Opportunity costs, anchoring effects, money illusion and sunk cost fallacy. Default effects: evidence from organ donations. The relationship between rationality and emotions in economic decision making: neuroeconomic evidence. Biases and heuristics in gambling. Policy implications, 'asymmetric paternalism' and 'nudge' agenda.
3. Part Two. Standard game theory and behavioural game theory. Experimental evidence on 'social preferences'. Subjective well-being paradoxes within advanced economies.

Handbook:

"Economia Comportamentale. Guida alla Teoria della Scelta", E. Angner, Hoepli, 2017 (Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12 and 13).

Further teaching materials will be provided online (e.g. op-eds from the website lavoce.info), through the E-learning service, within the specific webpage prepared for this course.

Examination Methods

60-minute written exam, aimed at testing students' understanding of a number of economic and social phenomena that characterize contemporary advanced economic systems and that can be fruitfully addressed through the lens of the major theoretical constructs and empirical findings (including experimental evidence) obtained in the last years within the framework of behavioural economics. The exam will be based on a) multiple choice questions; b) an open-ended question and c) an exercise based on behavioral game theory topics.