Advanced understanding of behaviour and decision making

Human behaviour is complex. Shaped by current and emerging social and environmental factors, behaviour is also rooted in evolved and instinctive ways of functioning. To strengthen and expand your understanding of human behaviour for change, this unit delves deep into the latest theories and thinking about why, when, and how behaviours occur. The unit considers behaviour from various lenses and schools of thought, and draws on key theory and understanding from disciplines such as psychology, sociology, and behavioural economics.

You will learn about a range of constructs and theoretical frameworks around behavioural drivers and barriers, and the influence of personal, social, and environmental factors on behaviour, such as personality, culture, and context. You will explore and apply practical decision-making frameworks that take into account how people behave, and grapple with key questions and arguments around why and how certain behavioural interventions work. Finally, you will be introduced to emerging topics in behavioural science and behaviour change, including behavioural spill-over, behavioural contagion, resistance to change, and the role of groups and social movements as catalysts for change.

You will understand the importance of applying an evidence-based approach to advancing knowledge in behavioural science, develop an attitude and mindset towards decision-making that values rigour, clarity and precision, actively critique existing and emerging theories and models, and contribute to dialog around future theoretical advancements and applications