Key facts

UNE unit code: ECON308

*You are viewing the 2027 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.

Start
  • Not offered in 2027
24/7 online support
  • Yes
Intensive schools
  • No
Supervised exam
  • Yes
Credit points
  • 6

Unit information

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From understanding why individuals make seemingly irrational financial choices to designing ‘nudges’ that improve public policy outcomes, behavioural economics offers powerful insights into human decision-making. This unit equips you with the knowledge and analytical skills to solve real-world challenges where human psychology meets economic behaviour. You’ll refine your analytical abilities by critically examining standard economic assumptions through the lens of psychological realism, learning to apply core behavioural theories and interpret experimental evidence.
 
Throughout the unit, you’ll explore key concepts like cognitive biases, heuristics, and social preferences that shape economic decisions. Using both theoretical frameworks and practical applications, you’ll develop a more nuanced understanding of human behaviour in economic contexts and learn how organisations and policymakers can better account for real human psychology in their decision-making processes.

Intensive schools

There are no intensive schools required for this unit.

Enrolment rules

Pre-requisites
ECON101 or ECON123
Restrictions
ECON508
Combined units

Notes

Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.

Unit coordinator(s)

To be advised

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. analyse complex economic or business scenarios to identify and explain the influence of specific cognitive biases, heuristics, and social preferences on decision-making;
  2. evaluate the empirical validity, predictive power, and limitations of standard and behavioural economic models by critically assessing evidence from diverse sources;
  3. critique the design, potential effectiveness, and ethical implications of behavioural interventions ('nudges') within specific policy or organisational contexts;
  4. design theoretically grounded proposals for behavioural interventions or experimental studies aimed at addressing real-world economic or social problems; and
  5. work independently to plan, execute, and reflect on research or practical tasks that extend behavioural economics knowledge and skills in real-world contexts.

Assessment information

Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

TitleMust CompleteWeightOfferingsAssessment Notes
Behavioural intervention critique and enhancement proposalYes25%All offerings

Critically evaluate a provided intervention's design, effectiveness, ethics and propose justified modifications.

Word count: 1500 words 

Behavioural Design Challenge and Oral Defence - Assurance TaskYes50%All offerings

A two-part capstone assessment.

Part A is a written design proposal for a novel intervention or experimental study for a specific real-world problem. 

Part B is an oral presentation and Q&A defence of the proposal. The oral presentation will be offered online with supervision via webcam and screen sharing technology.  

Both components must be completed for the assessment to be valid.

Word count: 2000 words

Students must obtain at least 50% in Assessment Item 3 (and at least 50% overall) to receive a pass or better in the unit.

Critical case study analysisYes25%All offerings

Analyse a case study using behavioural concepts and compare explanatory power versus standard models.

Word count: 1500 words

Learning resources

Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

Textbook information will be displayed approximately 8 weeks prior to the commencement of the teaching period. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.

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