Courses NonDegree Display 2021-2022

Course Description To PDF
Course title Behavioural Economics (IB/IBE)
Course code EBC2080
ECTS credits 6,5
Assessment Whole/Half Grades
Period
Period Start End Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri
1 30-8-2021 15-10-2021 X X
Level Intermediate
Coordinator Thomas Meissner
For more information: t.meissner@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Language of instruction English
Goals
The goal of the course is to provide the students with the necessary sensitivity when applying theoretical models. After the course students should be able to identify the most important concepts describing reasons why humans deviate from behaviour predicted by the commonly used model of the homo oeconomicus.
Description
The traditional model of the homo oeconomicus is ubiquitous in microeconomic theory. Economic agents are assumed to be rational utility maximizers with self-regarding preferences and unlimited processing capacities. Common sense and the results of experiments show that this is not always the case. Often people behave differently than predicted by theory. In the course, we will deal with the following problem statements:
1) When does microeconomic theory apply and when does it lose its predictive power?
2.) If it does not apply, what concepts and models can be used to either extend or to substitute the current theory in order to describe human behaviour?

Specifically we will discuss the following issues:
- Non-expected utility theory,
- Intertemporal choice
- Social preferences,
- Reciprocity,
- Levels of analytical reasoning
- The role of mistakes

In addition, we will touch on the following topics:
- Mental accounting
- Heuristics
- Neuroeconomics
Literature
There is no one textbook that will cover the course. References and papers will be made available to the students at the beginning of the course.
Prerequisites
Microeconomics
· Ability and willingness to think analytically
While the course seeks to critic the standard microeconomic theory, this will done in a constructive manner. That is, we will investigate in detail why the standard model might fail, and what extensions or alternative might be used instead. Consequently, we will use, and develop further, the formal tools of analysis you would have learned from your second year microeconomics course. In addition:
· Basic game theory is helpful, but not necessary (simple equilibrium concepts such as (pure and mixed strategy) Nash equilibrium and subgame perfect Nash equilibrium).
· Exchange students need to major in Business.
an advanced level of English
Teaching methods (indicative; course manual is definitive) PBL
Assessment methods (indicative; course manual is definitive) Final Paper / Participation / Written Exam
Evaluation in previous academic year For the complete evaluation of this course please click "here"
This course belongs to the following programmes / specialisations
Bachelor Economics and Business Economics - Emerging Markets Year 3 Elective Course(s)
Bachelor Economics and Business Economics - International Business Economics Year 3 Core Course(s) - Maj Micro
Bachelor Economics and Business Economics - International Business Economics Year 3 Economics Elec(s) - Maj Accounting
Bachelor Economics and Business Economics - International Business Economics Year 3 Economics Elec(s) - Maj Finance
Bachelor Economics and Business Economics - International Business Economics Year 3 Economics Elec(s) - Maj Inf Mgmt
Bachelor Economics and Business Economics - International Business Economics Year 3 Economics Elec(s) - Maj Marketing
Bachelor Economics and Business Economics - International Business Economics Year 3 Economics Elec(s) - Maj Org
Bachelor Economics and Business Economics - International Business Economics Year 3 Economics Elec(s) - Maj SCM
Bachelor Economics and Business Economics - International Business Economics Year 3 Economics Elec(s) - Maj Strategy
Bachelor International Business - Emerging Markets Year 3 Elective Course(s)
Bachelor International Business Year 3 Economics Elec(s) - Maj Accounting
Bachelor International Business Year 3 Economics Elec(s) - Maj Finance
Bachelor International Business Year 3 Economics Elec(s) - Maj Inf Mgmt
Bachelor International Business Year 3 Economics Elec(s) - Maj Marketing
Bachelor International Business Year 3 Economics Elec(s) - Maj Org
Bachelor International Business Year 3 Economics Elec(s) - Maj SCM
Bachelor International Business Year 3 Economics Elec(s) - Maj Strategy
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