Psychological Influences on Decision Making from edX

We make thousands of decisions each day, though we may not always be consciously aware of each one. Many decisions seem straightforward—when to wake up, what to eat, what to wear, what activities to do—but research suggests that even simple decisions are influenced by other people and by the context in which the decisions are made. More significant decisions such as who we befriend, who we choose as a long-term partner, and what career we pursue are similarly influenced by psychological factors. ****

This course will separate the varied psychological factors that affect decisions into several categories. Some psychological factors are intrapersonal, meaning they occur in our own mind. These include cognitive factors such as schemas and attributions, and motivational factors such as the influence of psychological needs. Other factors are interpersonal, acknowledging that other people have powerful influences on our decisions. Another section focuses on the unique influence of group dynamics, suggesting our decisions are influenced by conformity, groupthink, and group polarization. Finally, we cover intergroup influences on decision making, such as prejudice and discrimination.

The goal of this course is to introduce you to the many psychological influences on decision making. Knowing more about the psychological factors underlying decision making will help you make more informed decisions and help you analyze how other people make decisions and the factors that contribute to those decisions. If you are an employee, this course can help you understand how your supervisor makes decisions and how you can affect those decisions. If you are a parent, the course can help you better understand the factors that affect your children’s decision making and perhaps help you shape their decision making. A better understanding of the psychological influences on decision making can help improve decision making in personal and professional lives.

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Learning objectives

Discuss the role of decision making in everyday life.
Distinguish between intrapersonal and interpersonal influences on decision making.
Describe the cognitive processes that affect decision making.
Describe the motivational processes that affect decision making.

Identify the ways decision making can be influenced by what other individuals say and do.
Discuss how group dynamics affect decision making.
Describe how intergroup relations can affect decision making.

Discuss the role of decision making in everyday life.
Distinguish between intrapersonal and interpersonal influences on decision making.
Describe the cognitive processes that affect decision making.
Describe the motivational processes that affect decision making.
Identify the ways decision making can be influenced by what other individuals say and do.
Discuss how group dynamics affect decision making.
Describe how intergroup relations can affect decision making.

Syllabus

Cognitive Influences on Decision Making

Schemas

Heuristics and Biases

Attribution

Affect and Decision Making

Attitudes and Decisions

Motivational Influences on Decision Making

Impressions and Decisions

Need for Affiliation

Need for Consistency

Influence of Other Individuals on Decision Making

Arguments and Persuasion

Compliance and Obedience

Influence of Groups on Decision Making

Conformity

Groupthink

Group Polarization

Deindividuation

Intergroup Influences on Decision Making

Stereotypes

Prejudice

Discrimination

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Suitable for those who are new to psychology and want to broaden their understanding of how it influences decision making

Good for students who want to improve their understanding of how psychology affects decision-making in personal and professional situations

Helpful for those interested in understanding the psychological factors that influence their own and others' decision-making processes

Provides a comprehensive overview of the psychological factors that influence decision-making, making it suitable for individuals in various fields

Instructors are recognized for their expertise in psychology, enhancing the course's credibility

Covers a wide range of topics, from cognitive and motivational influences to group and intergroup influences, providing a well-rounded understanding of decision-making

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 Psychological Influences on Decision Making with these activities:

Review high school-level psychology

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Reinforce core psychological concepts covered in high school to establish a strong foundation for the course.

Browse courses on Psychology

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Review notes, textbooks, or online resources from high school psychology.
Take practice quizzes or tests to assess your understanding.
Identify areas where you need further review.

Read 'Thinking, Fast and Slow' by Daniel Kahneman

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Delve into the groundbreaking work of Daniel Kahneman to gain insights into the cognitive and emotional processes that influence decision-making.

View Noise: A Flaw in Human Judgment on Amazon

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Read the book and take notes on key concepts and examples.
Reflect on how these concepts apply to your personal decision-making experiences.

Solve case studies or practice problems

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Apply psychological principles to real-world scenarios to enhance your problem-solving skills in decision making.

Browse courses on Case Studies

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Find case studies or practice problems related to decision making.
Analyze the case study and identify the psychological factors involved.
Develop solutions based on your understanding of these factors.
Evaluate the effectiveness of your solutions.

Two other activities

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Create a decision-making flowchart

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Develop a visual representation of the decision-making process, fostering a deeper understanding of the various factors and steps involved.

Browse courses on Decision Making

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Identify a specific decision-making scenario or problem.
Brainstorm the key factors and steps involved in making the decision.
Create a flowchart that outlines the decision-making process, including the different paths and outcomes.
Review and refine the flowchart to ensure clarity and accuracy.

Attend a conference or workshop on decision science

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Engage with experts and professionals in the field of decision science to gain insights and expand your network.

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Research and identify relevant conferences or workshops.
Register and attend the event.
Actively participate in sessions and discussions.
Connect with other attendees and professionals.

Career center

Learners who complete Psychological Influences on Decision Making will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Psychologist

As a Psychologist, you will rely on an understanding of the psychological factors that influence decision making in order to help your clients improve their mental health and well-being. This course can help you develop the skills you need to assess and treat clients with decision-making difficulties, as well as to develop interventions to help them make better decisions.

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Human Resources Manager

In your role as a Human Resources Manager, you will need to understand the psychological factors that influence decision making in order to create and implement effective HR policies and practices. This course can help you develop the skills you need to recruit, hire, and retain top talent, as well as to manage employee performance and resolve conflict.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager

Consultant

As a Consultant, you will need to understand the psychological factors that influence decision making in order to help your clients solve problems and achieve their goals. This course can help you develop the skills you need to gather data, analyze information, and make recommendations to clients.

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Marketing Manager

As a Marketing Manager, you will need to understand the psychological factors that influence decision making in order to create and implement effective marketing campaigns. This course can help you develop the skills you need to understand your target market, develop marketing messages, and measure the effectiveness of your campaigns.

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Sales Manager

As a Sales Manager, you will need to understand the psychological factors that influence decision making in order to close deals and build relationships with customers. This course can help you develop the skills you need to identify customer needs, build rapport, and negotiate effectively.

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UX Designer

As a UX Designer, you will need to understand the psychological factors that influence decision making in order to create user-friendly and intuitive interfaces. This course can help you develop the skills you need to understand user behavior, design prototypes, and evaluate the effectiveness of your designs.

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Business Analyst

As a Business Analyst, you will need to understand the psychological factors that influence decision making in order to analyze business processes and make recommendations for improvement. This course can help you develop the skills you need to gather data, analyze information, and make recommendations to stakeholders.

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Product Manager

As a Product Manager, you will need to understand the psychological factors that influence decision making in order to develop and launch successful products. This course can help you develop the skills you need to understand your target market, define product requirements, and manage the product development process.

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Lawyer

As a Lawyer, you will need to understand the psychological factors that influence decision making in order to build strong cases and advocate for your clients. This course can help you develop the skills you need to research the law, analyze evidence, and present your arguments effectively.

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Journalist

As a Journalist, you will need to understand the psychological factors that influence decision making in order to write compelling and informative stories. This course can help you develop the skills you need to gather information, analyze data, and write clearly and concisely.

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Teacher

As a Teacher, you will need to understand the psychological factors that influence decision making in order to create effective lesson plans and teach your students effectively. This course can help you develop the skills you need to understand your students' needs, develop engaging lesson plans, and manage your classroom.

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Social Worker

As a Social Worker, you will need to understand the psychological factors that influence decision making in order to help your clients overcome challenges and achieve their goals. This course can help you develop the skills you need to assess clients' needs, develop treatment plans, and provide support and guidance.

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Police Officer

As a Police Officer, you will need to understand the psychological factors that influence decision making in order to interact with the public safely and effectively. This course can help you develop the skills you need to de-escalate conflict, make quick decisions, and use force appropriately.

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Firefighter

As a Firefighter, you will need to understand the psychological factors that influence decision making in order to stay safe and make quick decisions in dangerous situations. This course can help you develop the skills you need to assess risks, make quick decisions, and work effectively as part of a team.

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EMT

As an EMT, you will need to understand the psychological factors that influence decision making in order to provide emergency medical care quickly and effectively. This course can help you develop the skills you need to assess patients, make quick decisions, and work effectively as part of a team.

See salaries and explore the career path for EMT