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Behavioral Economics for Public and Social Policy - JSM732
Anglický název: Behavioral Economics for Public and Social Policy
Zajišťuje: Katedra veřejné a sociální politiky (23-KVSP)
Fakulta: Fakulta sociálních věd
Platnost: od 2023
Semestr: zimní
E-Kredity: 7
Způsob provedení zkoušky: zimní s.:
Rozsah, examinace: zimní s.:1/1, Zk [HT]
Počet míst: neomezen / neurčen (25)
Minimální obsazenost: 15
4EU+: ne
Virtuální mobilita / počet míst pro virtuální mobilitu: ne
Stav předmětu: vyučován
Jazyk výuky: angličtina
Způsob výuky: prezenční
Způsob výuky: prezenční
Poznámka: předmět je možno zapsat mimo plán
povolen pro zápis po webu
Garant: Ing. Radek Kovács
Vyučující: doc. PhDr. Pavol Frič, Ph.D.
Ing. Radek Kovács
Třída: Courses for incoming students
Neslučitelnost : JSM540
Je neslučitelnost pro: JSM540
Soubory Komentář Kdo přidal
stáhnout Behavioral Economic Public and Social Policy- PART 1.pdf BLOCK 1 Ing. Radek Kovács
Sylabus - angličtina
Poslední úprava: Ing. Radek Kovács (13.10.2023)

Behavioral Economics for Public and Social Policy: syllabus

 

Course:

Behavioral Economics for Public and Social Policy

Supervisor:

doc. PhDr. Pavol Frič, Ph.D.

Teacher:

Ing. Radek Kovács

Course code

JSM732

Examination

1/1, exam

ECTS

a) self-study and preparation for lectures 2 ECTS

b) direct tuition and consultation 1 ECTS

c) preparation of 3 presentations 0.5 ECTS

d) elaboration of 2 critical reflections and a seminar paper 3.5 ECTS

total 7.0 credits

Prerequisites

None

Web

 (Moodle kurz EVP)

Consulting hours

https://konzultace.fsv.cuni.cz

 

Brief Characteristics of the Course:

“Do we make decisions rationally or irrationally? And how do we know? How can we use irrationality in social and public policy?”  The elective course “Behavioral Economics for Public and Social Policy” provides answers to these fundamental questions. The aim is to acquaint students with the key principles and concepts of behavioral economics and its theory of nudge, to deepen their knowledge of subjects based on neoclassical economics and illustrate how behavioral economics can help to achieve more effective outcomes. The course will present current knowledge of behavioral economics and social psychology, with regard to their practical applicability in public policies (health policy, pension policy, environmental policy, savings making, education policy, welfare and happiness economics, etc.) with the subsequent formulation of implications for their implementation in the spirit of so-called "nudges".

The graduate of the course can:

  • formulate basic differences between neoclassical and behavioral economics,
  • explain mental abbreviations and heuristics and use them to propose solutions to achieve more effective outputs,
  • critically evaluate and identify areas in which the application of behavioral concepts can contribute to the improvement of public policy processes with regard to their implementation, efficiency or redistribution;

Graduates will use the acquired skills when working in both the public and private or non-profit sector. For a full understanding of the subject matter, continuous home preparation for each lecture is recommended (reading selected chapters of elementary literature).

Course Structure and Contents:

The course consists of three main parts - lectures, home reading of recommended literature and discussion / presentations and is not factually focused on a specific public policy or sector.

Elementary Literature:

KAHNEMAN, D. (2011). Thinking, Fast and Slow. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.  [česky: KAHNEMAN, D. 2012. Myšlení rychlé a pomalé, Jan Melvil Publishing, ISBN 978-80-87270-42-4]

THALER, R.H., SUNSTEIN, C.R. (2008). Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness. New Haven: Yale University Press. [česky: Nudge (Šťouch) Jak postrčit lidi k lepšímu rozhodování o zdraví, majetku a štěstí. Albatros Media a.s., 2010]

Recommended Literature:

ARIELY, D. (2008). Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions. New York, NY: Harper.  [česky:  ARIELY, D. 2009. Jak drahé je zdarma : proč chytří lidé přijímají špatná rozhodnutí : iracionální faktory v ekonomice i v životě. Vyd. 1. Praha: Práh, 2009. ISBN 978-80-7252-239-2]

Behavioral Insights Team (2014). EAST: Four simple ways to apply behavioral insights. https://38r8om2xjhhl25mw24492dir-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/BIT-Publication-EAST_FA_WEB.pdf.

CAMERER C. (2000): Prospect theory in the wild: Evidence from the field, In: Choices, Values, and Frames. Contemporary Psychology. No.47. American Psychological Association, Washington, DC, pp. 288-300. ISBN 9780521621724.

DHAMI, Sanjit S. (2019). The foundations of behavioral economic analysis. Volume 1, Behavioral economics of risk, uncertainty, and ambiguity. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780198835608.

DOLAN, P. et al. (2010). Mindspace: Influencing Behaviour through Public Policies. London: Cabinet Office and the Institute for Government.

KAHNEMAN, D., KNETSCH, J.L., THALER, R.H. (1991).  Anomalies: The Endowment Effect, Loss Aversion, and Status Quo Bias, The Journal of Economic Perspectives, 5(1), pp. 193-206, Winter.

KAHNEMAN, D., KNETSCH, L.J. and THALER, R. (1990). "Experimental Tests of the Endowment Effect and the Coase Theorem." Journal of Political Economy 98 (6): 1325-1348.

KRPAN D, GALIZZIM M and DOLAN P. (2019). Looking at Spillovers in the Mirror: Making a Case for “Behavioral Spillunders” Front Psychol 10:1142doi: 103389/fpsyg201901142

SAMSON, A. (2016). The Behavioral Economics Guide. Behavioral economics.                                           

SCHMIDT, AT, ENGELEN, B. (2020). The ethics of nudging: An overview. Philosophy Compass. 2020; 15: e12658. https://doi.org/10.1111/phc3.12658                                                                                           

SUNSTEIN, Cass R. and THALER, R. (2003), Libertarian Paternalism Is Not an Oxymoron, The University of Chicago Law Review, Vol 70, No.4.   

SUNSTEIN,Cass R. (2020). Behavioral Science and Public Policy. Cambridge University Press, number 9781108972789.                                                                                                                        

THALER, R. H. (2015). Misbehaving: The Making of Behavioral Economics. W W Norton & Co. [česky: THALER, R. H. (2017) Neočekávané chování: příběh behaviorální ekonomie. Argo]                                                                                         

WILKINSON, N. - KLEAS, M. (2012). An Introduction to Behavioral Economics. Palgrave.                                     

Study Control:

Prerequisites for completing the course are (1) preparation for lectures and active participation in teaching activities. Students must have read articles and processed assignments intended for discussion. Part of the duties is (2) elaboration and submission of a seminar paper on the topic of the selected presentation in the range of 15 standard pages of continuous text (upload to the Moodle course page), (3) presentation of a seminar paper and (4) elaboration of 2 critical reflections in the range of 3.000 to 5.000 characters each, spaces included, references excluded

 (1) Preparation for Lectures

 A list of compulsory and recommended home study literature is prepared for each lecture.  The selection of literature seeks to cover key aspects of the topic. The texts will be discussed; therefore, it is absolutely necessary to read them in advance and prepare any questions and suggestions for discussion. It is not necessary to read all the case studies, they mainly serve as illustrations of the discussed topic and inspiration for the processed presentations, two critical reflections and seminar paper.

 (2) + (3) Seminar Paper and its Continuous Presentations

 1. Specification of the public and social policy issue

(description of the selected problem, its topicality and the tree of causal relations in the range of 3-4 pages),

 2. Strategy, Goals, Methodology, Theoretical-conceptual framework

(proposal of a suitable behavioral policy design with 5-10 solution variants in the range of 3-4 pages)

 3. Effectiveness evaluation

(description of how the results obtained will be evaluated in terms of effectiveness, i.e cost-benefit analysis, technical feasibility, political viability, acceptance among course participants, in the range of 3-4 pages)

 4. Finalization

(proposal of a clear and convincing solution for the selected problem, a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of the selected design and the reasons for its choice. (3-4 pages)

The seminar paper must be submitted in electronic form to the address radek.kovacs@fsv.cuni.cz. The subject of the email must contain the course code in square brackets, i.e [JSM732], otherwise it will not be entered correctly. The final version will be analyzed by plagiarism detection software.

(4) Elaboration of 2 Critical Reflections

 Critical reflection I: Using an example of a public policy problem of your choice, propose solutions based on the concept of nudges

 Critical reflection II: Give a case where nudging has undesirable (ethical, practical) consequences

 The evaluation of students´ critical reflections:

Points

The nature of answer

9- 10

The topic was very well understood.

The theoretical framework and empirical evidence were rightly applied. Relevant reference to at least four scientific sources in addition to the course’s textbook.

Value added: inventions, unusual but relevant perspective, appropriate case which fits to illustrate the given problematics.

 

7-8

The topic was rightly grasped.

The theoretical framework and empirical evidence were rightly applied. Relevant reference to at least three scientific sources in addition to the course’s textbook.

Value added:  relevant broader perspective, appropriate case which might illustrate the given problematics. 

4-6

The reflection corresponds with the topic, but it is more or less descriptive and doesn´t provide satisfactory explanation of a given topic.

Relevant reference to at least two scientific sources in addition to the course’s textbook.

1-3

The reflection only very loosely corresponds with the topic and its explanatory power is minimal.

Relevant reference to at least one scientific source in addition to the course’s textbook.

0

The reflection doesn´t correspond with the topic.

Failed reasoning – with logical failure or uncritical application of ideological cliché.

The „common sense “answer without attempt to scientific analysis and reference to literature apart from the course´s textbook.

Answer delivered after deadline. 

 Deadlines:

The course lectures and seminars take place on  13th October, 10th November, 24th November, 8th December, 22nd December 2023

Submission of critical reflection I: 19 November 2023

 Submission of critical reflection II: 3 December 2023

 Submission of seminar paper: 31 December 2023

 Failure to meet the deadline by less than 3 days means a 20% reduction in the number of points, a longer delay is evaluated as non-submission (0 points). A total of three deadlines are available for submitting the final version of the project. The first two can be used to obtain feedback, the third deadline is possible to submit the final version of the paper and meet the conditions for completing the course.

Course Schedule:

Block I - Topic 1: Delimitation of behavioral economics versus neoclassical economics.     

  • theory of rational choice
  • homo economicus and maximizing utility
  • axioms of rationality
  • cognitive biases and bounded rationality
  • Kahneman's system 1 and system 2

 Literature:  KAHNEMAN, D. (2011). Thinking, Fast and Slow. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, pages 7- 51 [česky: KAHNEMAN, D. 2012. Myšlení rychlé a pomalé, Jan Melvil Publishing, ISBN 978-80-87270-42-4, str. 9-57]

 Topic 2: Behavioral public choice. 

  • public goods
  • the free rider problem

 Literature:  KAHNEMAN, D. (2011). Thinking, Fast and Slow. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. pages 52- 70 [česky: KAHNEMAN, D. 2012. Myšlení rychlé a pomalé, Jan Melvil Publishing, ISBN 978-80-87270-42-4, str. 58-80]

 Block II - Topic 3: The concept of bounded rationality  

  • heuristics and cognitive biases (decision making in conditions of uncertainty)
  • applications  of heuristics and cognitive biases in public and social policy
  • priming
  • framing

 Literature:  KAHNEMAN, D. (2011). Thinking, Fast and Slow. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, pages 71- 117, 136-269 [česky: KAHNEMAN, D. 2012. Myšlení rychlé a pomalé, Jan Melvil Publishing, ISBN 978-80-87270-42-4, str. 81-129, 149-298]

 Topic 4: Prospect theory and its application in public and social policy.

  • prospect theory
  • loss aversion
  • applications in public and social policy

 Literature:  KAHNEMAN, D. (2011). Thinking, Fast and Slow. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, pages 270-333 [česky: KAHNEMAN, D. 2012. Myšlení rychlé a pomalé, Jan Melvil Publishing, ISBN 978-80-87270-42-4, str. 299-365]

 Block III - Topic 5 

  • Bernoulli's errors
  • status quo
  • anchoring the situation
  • procrastination
  • regression toward the mean
  • endowment effect
  • mental accounting
  • intertemporal decission-making

 Literature:  

KAHNEMAN, D. (2011). Thinking, Fast and Slow. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, pages 118-135, 334-344 . [česky: KAHNEMAN, D. 2012. Myšlení rychlé a pomalé, Jan Melvil Publishing, ISBN 978-80-87270-42-4, str. 130-148, 289-298, 366-400]

 Topic 6: Choice architecture

  • default settings
  • pledges
  • regulatory and behavioral tools in public policy

 Literature: 

THALER, R.H., SUNSTEIN, C.R. 2008. Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness. New Haven: Yale University Press. [česky (2010): Nudge (Šťouch) Jak postrčit lidi k lepšímu rozhodování o zdraví, majetku a štěstí. (Část 1)

 Block IV - Topic 7: Nudges and their applications in public policy I

  • priming
  • labeling
  • positioning
  • proximity
  • size nudges
  • decoy effect

Literature: THALER, R.H., SUNSTEIN, C.R. 2008. Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness. New Haven: Yale University Press, pages 1-198. [česky (2010): Nudge (Šťouch) Jak postrčit lidi k lepšímu rozhodování o zdraví, majetku a štěstí. (Část 2)

Topic 8: Nudges and their applications in public policy II

  • defaults
  • framing
  • monetary nudges
  • salience effect
  • social norms
  • multi-component nudges

Literature: THALER, R.H., SUNSTEIN, C.R. 2008. Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness. New Haven: Yale University Press, pages 102-198. [česky (2010): Nudge (Šťouch) Jak postrčit lidi k lepšímu rozhodování o zdraví, majetku a štěstí. (Části 3 a 4)

 

 Block V - Topic 9: (Un)attainable goals of human endeavor

  • social comparison
  • hedonic adaptation
  • prosocial behavior

Literature:  

KAHNEMAN, D. (2011). Thinking, Fast and Slow. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, pages 367-398. [česky: KAHNEMAN, D. 2012. Myšlení rychlé a pomalé, Jan Melvil Publishing, ISBN 978-80-87270-42-4, str. 401-448]

Topic 10: Social preferences

  • selfishness
  • perfect and imperfect altruism
  • reciprocity
  • aversion to inequality
  • game theory

 Literature:  

KAHNEMAN, D. (2011). Thinking, Fast and Slow. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, pages 399-452. [česky: KAHNEMAN, D. 2012. Myšlení rychlé a pomalé, Jan Melvil Publishing, ISBN 978-80-87270-42-4, str. 449-488]

 

Block VI - Topic 11

  • dark nudges
  • sludges
  • spillovers
  • spillunders
  • ethical aspects of the use of behavioral knowledge in public policy making

Literature: KRPAN D, GALIZZIM M and DOLAN P. 2019. Looking at Spillovers in the Mirror: Making a Case for “Behavioral Spillunders” Front Psychol 10:1142doi: 103389/fpsyg201901142

SCHMIDT, AT, ENGELEN, B. 2020. The ethics of nudging: An overview. Philosophy Compass. 2020; 15: e12658. https://doi.org/10.1111/phc3.12658

Topic 12:

  • libertarian paternalism and its critique
  • final summary

Literature: THALER, R.H., SUNSTEIN, C.R. 2008. Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness. New Haven: Yale University Press, pages 199-254. [česky (2010): Nudge (Šťouch) Jak postrčit lidi k lepšímu rozhodování o zdraví, majetku a štěstí. (Část 5)

SUNSTEIN and THALER, 2003, Libertarian Paternalism Is Not an Oxymoron, The University of Chicago Law Review, Vol 70, No.4.

Research and Study Ethics:

In line with the tradition of the university and the nature of the subjects taught, the Institute of Sociological Studies of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University places great emphasis on the ethical and responsible behavior of all students. In particular, the following are considered to be significant violations of ethics:

a) plagiarism – i.e., the use of someone else´s sentences, data or ideas (or parts of one's own work presented in another subject) without specifying the source;

b) manipulation of data and information (e.g., their modification or arbitrary creation);

(c) fraud of any kind.

Violations of the rules will be strictly resolved according to the FSV UK Disciplinary Code (available on the FSV Disciplinary Committee website).

 Grading and Classification Scale:

Activity / Output

Max. points

Min. points 

Grade

Points

Active participation in teaching activities

10

5

A

91–100

Critical reflection I

10

4

B

81– 90

Critical reflection II

10

4

C

71- 80

Presentation

10

5

D

61- 70

Seminar paper

60

30

E

51- 60

Total

100

 

F

 0-  50

 

 

 

 A - outstanding performance with only minor errors, B - above the average standard but with some errors, C - generally sound work with a number of notable errors, D - fair but with significant shortcomings, E - performance meets the minimum criteria, F - fail – considerable further work is required

 
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