Decisions Big and Small: The Cognitive Science of Making Up Your Mind
PSY 1322
Subject & Catalog Number
Course Information
Description
Life is full of decisions, but not all decisions are made equal. Choices can be big and consequential (should I focus on my success, family, or passion), or small and everyday (going out, or staying in). This course will introduce you to the cognitive science of judging and choosing. You will learn about 1) Rational planning, the kind a perfect intelligence might carry out 2) Common simplifications and shortcuts that non-perfect humans use, and how these may actually be appealing approximations for any decision-making system 3) Regret over choices taken and not taken 4) Making decisions with others 5) Transformative decisions, the ones that change who you are as a person. As we cover these topics, we will consider how to apply the insights from the psychology of decision making to your own ordinary and extraordinary choices.
Recommended Prep
The Psychology Department requires completion of Science of Living Systems 20 or Psychology 1 or the equivalent of introductory psychology (e.g. Psych AP=5 or IB =7 or Psyc S-1) and at least one foundational course from MCB/NEURO 80, PSY 11, PSY 14, PSY 15, PSY 16, or PSY 18 before enrolling in this course; or permission of instructor.
Available for Harvard Cross Registration
NOTE: This course requires additional sections; you will be prompted to choose secondary components during the Add to Cart process
