• The second exam inspection will take place at April 30th from 18:00-19:00 in HeHo18, 1.20.
• The exam inspection will take place at March 12th from 10:30-11:30 in HeHo 18, 1.20.
• The second exam will take place on April 9th 2015, 14:30-15:30 in H8.

This course provides an overview of behavioral economics, which is a young, but rapidly growing field in economics. Behavioral economics extends the narrow view of completely rational and selfish agents (homo oeconomicus) by more realistic assumptions about human motivations and preferences. Such extensions are frequently inspired by empirical findings in the neighboring disciplines of psychology and sociology but also by experimental economics methods. They include social concerns, moral motivations, emotions or limits to cognitive ability. 

Based on these concepts, the goal of behavioral economics is to gain new theoretical insights, predict and explore the ramifications on human behavior, strategic interaction as well as economic outcomes. Moreover, behavioral economics can inspire market design and welfare improving policies.

In the first part of the course, students will become familiar with the empirical and experimental evidence on systematic deviations of human behavior from the predictions of standard microeconomic models. Then, we will focus on how behavioral theory is built upon this evidence to arrive at descriptively more accurate models of human behavior. 

In the second part of the course, we will study several applications, for instance in the area of financial and labor markets, and further advancements of behavioral economic theory. Students will pick a paper from the rich behavioral economics literature, present and critically reflect on it in class. Based on these presentations, we will discuss how descriptively accurate assumptions are necessary for economic analysis. 

Main topics that we will cover are:

1. Behavioral decision theory  

2. Intertemporal choice, self-control and sustainable decisions

3. Behavioral game theory

5. Social preferences

Topics may be subject to change due to students’ special interest. This course is suitable for Master students only and held in English.

Wednesday, 16:15-17:45 — N24-H12
Thursday, 12:15-13:45 — N25-H8

Lecture: Prof. Dr. Gerlinde Fellner

Tutorials:  Kathrin Dengler

All course materials will be available for download at Moodle a few days before the respective meeting. The password for accessing the course at Moodle will be announced in the first lecture.

 

Link to the course in the Hochschulportal