The Neuropsychology of Decision Making from edX

An introductory course to the complex cognitive process that is human decision-making, from a neuropsychological perspective. Covering basic neuroanatomy, neurodevelopment, important structures, chemicals and networks, individual differences in decision-making and decision-making deficits.

Students will learn about the anatomical underpinnings of a decision and how this anatomy develops, the physiological and chemical processes involved, the importance of the prefrontal cortex in decision-making, the measurement of decision-making in contemporary research, current understandings of the factors that influence the decisions we make and the role of decision-making in complex psychological and neurological disorders.

What you'll learn

To gain an understanding of the brain structures involved in decision-making and how they develop.
To gain an understanding of the neural mechanisms of decision-making processes and how these are influenced.
To gain an understanding of decision-making deficits and their role in psychological disorders.
To identify the key anatomical and physiological components of decision making from a neuropsychological perspective.
To explain decision-making development in terms of executive function, the role of the prefrontal cortex and influences on development.
To outline decision-making deficits and roles of decision-making in psychological disorders

What's inside

Syllabus

Teaching week 1 - Introduction to neuroanatomy & neurodevelopment

This week will provide participants with a basic understanding of anatomy and development, providing an important basis for the following weeks. This week will not have a specific focus on decision making, but provides students with a basic knowledge that will be needed to be able to understand the later content on decision making.

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Read about what's good

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Explores human decision-making, which is a core concept in psychology and neuroscience

Provides a strong foundation for students interested in pursuing psychology or neuroscience

Covers the neuroanatomy and neurodevelopment of decision-making, which are critical for understanding its neural basis

Focuses on the role of the prefrontal cortex in decision-making, which is a key brain region involved in this process

Examines how neurotransmitters and neurophysiology contribute to decision-making, providing a comprehensive understanding of its neural mechanisms

Explores the development of decision-making and the role of childhood experiences, offering a unique perspective on how this process unfolds throughout life

Reviews summary

Comprehensive neuropsychological insights into decision making

According to students, this is a well-structured and comprehensive course, particularly beneficial for those with a science background or professionals in related fields. Learners found the lectures clear and appreciated the logical progression from basic neuroanatomy to complex topics like decision-making deficits and their link to psychological disorders. The depth and breadth of material, especially on the prefrontal cortex and neural mechanisms, were frequently highlighted as strengths. While largely positive, a few reviews noted that despite being introductory, the pace can be fast and the content quite dense for learners without prior neuroscience exposure, leaning more towards a theoretical understanding rather than practical application or extensive case studies.

Complex concepts are explained with clarity, making the material accessible.

"The instructor explains complex concepts with clarity."

"The clarity of explanations, especially on the prefrontal cortex and neural mechanisms, was superb."

"This course offers a solid introduction... The initial weeks on neuroanatomy were crucial and well-explained."

Highly relevant for professionals and students in psychology, neuroscience, and mental health.

"Directly relevant to my work in mental health. Highly recommend for professionals in psychology or neuroscience."

"As a student aiming for a career in cognitive neuroscience, this course provided an exceptional foundation."

"The final week on decision-making deficits was particularly insightful and directly relevant to my work."

Provides a well-organized and broad understanding of neuropsychology in decision making.

"An incredibly well-structured course from the University of Cambridge. The content moved logically from basic neuroanatomy to complex topics..."

"Outstanding course! The depth and breadth of the material are impressive for an introductory course."

"A comprehensive overview of an intricate subject. The course successfully demystifies the biological underpinnings of our choices."

Primarily theoretical with less emphasis on practical exercises or case studies.

"It's a good theoretical course but lacks practical exercises."

"While it provides a broad overview, I sometimes wished for more specific case studies or research examples in later weeks."

"The online format could benefit from more interactive elements or discussion prompts."

Better suited for those with prior science knowledge, potentially challenging for true beginners.

"Good content, but definitely geared towards those with a strong science background. I found the neuroanatomy parts quite dense initially."

"I found this course somewhat challenging for a supposed 'introductory' level... I think it's better suited for someone who already has a good grasp of basic neuroscience."

"Accessible even for someone like me who hadn't formally studied neuropsychology before but has a background in psychology."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The Neuropsychology of Decision Making with these activities:

Mentor Students in the Course

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Strengthen your understanding of the course material by assisting other students with their learning, reinforcing your own knowledge and developing teaching skills.

Browse courses on Decision Making

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Join a study group
Offer assistance to classmates
Lead study sessions

Review 'Cognitive Neuroscience: The Biology of the Mind'

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Familiarize yourself with the fundamental principles of cognitive neuroscience, providing a solid foundation for understanding the neuropsychological perspective on decision-making.

View Melania on Amazon

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Read Chapter 1: Introduction
Read Chapter 2: Methods in Cognitive Neuroscience
Read Chapter 3: Brain Regions and Functions

Complete Decision-Making Scenarios

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Reinforce decision-making skills by practicing real-world scenarios and analyzing the factors influencing decision-making.

Browse courses on Decision Making

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Read the scenario
Identify the relevant factors
Make a decision
Evaluate the decision

Five other activities

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Volunteer in a Decision-Making Support Group

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Gain practical experience in assisting individuals with decision-making challenges and apply course concepts to real-world situations.

Browse courses on Decision Making

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Find a support group
Attend training
Provide support to group members
Reflect on your experiences

Use Neuroimaging Tools to Analyze Decision-Making

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Gain practical experience in neuroimaging techniques by following guided tutorials on using software to analyze decision-making data.

Browse courses on Neuroimaging

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Choose a neuroimaging software
Install and learn the software
Load and preprocess neuroimaging data
Conduct data analysis
Interpret the results

Design a Decision-Making Experiment

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Engage in hands-on application of the concepts learned in the course by designing an experiment to investigate a specific aspect of decision-making.

Browse courses on Decision Making

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Identify a research question
Develop a hypothesis
Design the experimental procedure
Collect and analyze data
Write a report on the findings

Create a Decision-Making Resource Guide

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Synthesize course content and additional research to create a comprehensive resource guide for understanding and improving decision-making skills.

Browse courses on Decision Making

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Gather resources on decision-making
Organize and categorize the resources
Create a user-friendly guide
Share the guide with others

Presentation on Decision-Making in a Specific Disorder

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Deepen understanding of decision-making deficits and their impact by researching and presenting on a specific disorder that affects decision-making.

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Choose a disorder
Research the disorder and its impact on decision-making
Develop a presentation
Deliver the presentation

Career center

Learners who complete The Neuropsychology of Decision Making will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Neuropsychologist

This course provides a solid foundation in understanding the neural mechanisms of decision-making, a complex process which is a core component of Neuropsychology practice. A thorough understanding of decision-making is paramount for Neuropsychologists, as they need to understand how the brain gives rise to both normal and abnormal behavior.

See salaries and explore the career path for Neuropsychologist

Cognitive Neuroscientist

Researching the neural mechanisms of decision-making is one of the primary pursuits of Cognitive Neuroscientists. This course will introduce students to the neuroanatomy and neurodevelopment involved in decision making, and provide insights into the neurochemical and physiological processes involved in the brain networks responsible for decision-making - key knowledge for Cognitive Neuroscientists.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cognitive Neuroscientist

Neurologist

Neurologists diagnose and treat disorders of the nervous system. Decision-making deficits are key symptoms of many neurological conditions. This course offers a deep dive into decision-making as a neuropsychological process, which can help Neurologists deepen their understanding of this symptom.

See salaries and explore the career path for Neurologist

Psychiatrist

Psychiatrists diagnose and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Decision-making deficits are key symptoms of many psychiatric conditions. This course offers a deep dive into decision-making as a neuropsychological process, which can help Psychiatrists deepen their understanding of this symptom and its causes.

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Clinical Psychologist

Clinical Psychologists research, diagnose, and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral problems. Decision-making deficits can be a symptom of many psychological conditions. This course offers a deep dive into decision-making as a neuropsychological process, which can help Clinical Psychologists deepen their understanding of this symptom.

See salaries and explore the career path for Clinical Psychologist

Developmental Psychologist

Developmental Psychologists study the development of human beings across the lifespan. This course will help Developmental Psychologists gain a deep understanding of how decision-making abilities change and develop as humans reach adulthood, which can help them better assist and support clients and patients throughout their lives.

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Educational Psychologist

Educational Psychologists aim to understand how people learn and use this knowledge to improve educational practices at all levels. This course can help Educational Psychologists explore how students develop in their decision-making, which can help them in the creation of better and more effective educational practices and curricula.

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Rehabilitation Psychologist

Rehabilitation Psychologists focus on maximizing the cognitive function and independence of people with disabilities. Decision-making deficits are often seen in patients requiring rehabilitation. By taking this course, Rehabilitation Psychologists can gain a better understanding of these deficits and learn strategies to account for them in rehabilitation plans.

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Forensic Psychologist

Forensic Psychologists apply psychological methods to the criminal justice system. This course can help Forensic Psychologists understand how defendants make decisions in the context of a crime, and may have insights into how to better evaluate and treat them.

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Health Psychologist

Health Psychologists help people change their health behaviors and make healthier decisions. This course may help Health Psychologists better understand the decision-making process and how to use this understanding to help clients make healthier choices.

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Human Factors Psychologist

Human Factors Psychologists study how people interact with technology and design systems that are easy to use and safe. This course may prove helpful for Human Factors Psychologists in understanding how decision-making factors into human interaction with technology, which could help them design better systems.

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Industrial-Organizational Psychologist

Industrial-Organizational Psychologists apply psychological principles and methods to the workplace. This course may prove helpful to Industrial-Organizational Psychologists in understanding how to make better decisions within an organizational context.

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Marketing Researcher

Marketing Researchers study consumer behavior and market trends. This course may prove helpful for Marketing Researchers in understanding the decision-making process of consumers, potentially enabling them to make better marketing recommendations.

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Speech-Language Pathologist

Speech-Language Pathologists diagnose and treat speech, language, and swallowing disorders. This course may prove useful for Speech-Language Pathologists in understanding how decision-making factors into speech and language development.

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User Experience Researcher

User Experience Researchers study how people interact with products and services. This course may prove useful for User Experience Researchers in understanding the decision-making process of users, which could help them design better products and services.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience Researcher