Module Code - Title:
PS6081
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PROBLEM SOLVING AND DECISION MAKING
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
The aim of this module is to provide in-depth knowledge on typical strategies that people use in problem solving and decision making and how solutions to problems and decision can be improved. This module will provide a deep understanding of problem solving and decision making and it will increase the students analytical skills.
Syllabus:
People solve problems and make decision all of the time, but only sometimes do people succeed. In this module, students will learn about the prominent theories and applications in problem solving and decision making. We will touch on different kinds of problems and decisions (personal, inter-personal, group context) in different contexts (e.g., relationships, economics). We will contrast typical strategies that people use to the strategies that would make problem solving and decision making more effective and efficient.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
Recognise the psychological processes that underlie problem solving and decision making.
Develop an understanding of how problem solving and decision making can be improved for particular tasks and in particular contexts.
Apply problem solving and decision making strategies to particular problems.
Defend the use of particular strategies over alternative strategies.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
On successful completion of this module, students should be / should be able to:
Confident in recommending problem solving strategies and decision making strategies for solutions to particular problems.
Value the psychological models of problem solving and decision making for everyday life problems.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
N/A
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
The module will be taught in lectures and lab sessions. The lecture will give overviews to the prominent theories in problem solving and decision making. In lab sessions we will have students work jointly and independently on exercises regarding problems and decisions, then we will analyse solutions and discuss them. We will outline the strategies that people often apply (e.g., decision traps) and which strategies would be more adequate. Students will also have to submit a written assignment on applications of problem solving or decision making strategies in real life contexts. Students will read books and selected journal articles.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Baron, J. (2008)
Thinking and deciding (fourth edition)
, Cambridge: University Press
Other Relevant Texts:
Quinlan, P., & Dyson, B. (2008)
Cognitive Psychology
, London: Prentice Hall
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A selection of up-to-date and classical journal articles will be read and discussed. We will primarily focus on publications in Science, Psychological Science, the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, the Journal of Behavioral Decision Making, and Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes.
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Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Module Leader:
eric.igou@ul.ie