Decision Processes in Human Cognition (G6084)

15 credits, Level 5

Spring teaching

This module will demonstrate that we can think about human behaviour and cognition in terms of decision processes, and that that allows us to break down seemingly complicated psychological phenomena and explain them in terms of simple processes.

The module will introduce you to topics in:

• cognitive psychology (such as motivation)
• neuroscience and physiology (such as the reward system)
• decision-making (such as value-based decision-making and behavioural economics).

We will also cover important classes of computational models, and the scope and limits of those models in helping us understand human behaviour. Finally, we will critically compare decision-making in artificial (AI) and biological systems.

The module covers topics such as:

• perceptual decision-making
• value-based decision making and risk aversion
• cognitive biases and heuristics, and behavioural economics
• subjective evaluations such as emotion and awareness.

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 150 hours of work. This breaks down into about 34 hours of contact time and about 116 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.