Decision Theory and Behavioural Economics

The aim of this course is first to provide a grounding knowldege in the area of decision under risk adopting the classic Expected Utility model. Using experimental evidence showing how this model may miss important features of observed choices, the course will then present alternative models that have been developed to reconcile the theory with the empirical evidence. The course will then cover intertemporal decisions using a similar approach. Finally, the course will describe some well-known biases in decision making that can have significant effects in shaping financial decisions.

At the end of the course the students are expected to have acquired the tools necessary to:
· understand the existing literature on decision under risk and on the most relevant topics in behavioral economics;
· think and formalize decisions under risk using Expected Utility, Rank Dependent Utility and Prospect Theory, knowing the relative strengths and weaknesses of the different models;
· think and formalize intertemporal decisions using Discounted Utility and (Quasi) Hyperbolic Discounting knowing the relative strength and weaknesses of the different models;
· know how financial decisions are affected by biases known in the Behavioral Economics literature (self-control, disposition effect, myopic loss aversion)