Behavioral and experimental economics are two flourishing research programs in recent economic analysis. Generally speaking, behavioral economics studies the effects on economic behavior of psychological factors that were neglected by traditional economic analysis, and advances a series of new models that capture those psychological factors. Experimental economics tests the validity of economic theories, traditional or behavioral they may be, by using experimental methods. Economic experiments may be conducted in artificially designed environments (laboratory experiments) or in natural settings (field experiments). In the first part of the course (30 hours), Moscati introduces the main concepts, findings, and models of behavioral economics. In the second part of the course (10 hours), Gamba introduces the methodology of experimental economics, discusses some important laboratory and field experiments, and teaches how to design a simple economic experiment. At the end of this course, the student will be able to: 1. Master the main concepts, findings, and models of behavioral economics. 2. Understand the basic principles and methodologies of experimental economics, discuss an experimental research study, and design a simple economic experiment.
Prerequisiti
Basic knowledge of microeconomic theory and the key concepts of game theory.
Metodi didattici
Lectures, tutorials, and laboratory classes.
Verifica Apprendimento
Exams are written exams only. The exam is divided into two parts corresponding, respectively, to the topics covered by Moscati and Gamba.
Structure of the exams: 3 open questions and exercises on the first part, 1 open question on the second part; each question: 7.5 points; overall time: 1 hour.
The first general exam will take place in January 2025. The exact dates of the first and the following general exams will be posted shortly.
Contenuti
Part I (Moscati): Decision making: (i) in riskless situations; (ii) in situations of risk; (iii) in situations of uncertainty; (iv) over time; (v) in strategic situations.
For each type of decision-making, the lecturer first discusses the so-called neoclassical (aka mainstream) theory of decision-making, and then move to the corresponding behavioral theories.
Part II (Gamba): Experimental methodology: (i) overview of the experimental methods; (ii) the relationship between economic theory and experiments; (iii) advantages and limitations of the experimental method; (iv) review of some important laboratory and field experiments; (v) how to design a simple economic experiment.
Lingua Insegnamento
INGLESE
Altre informazioni
Texts Part 1 (Moscati): • Instructor’s slides • Suggested but not compulsory: Moscati, I., The History and Methodology of Expected Utility, Cambridge University Press, 2023; Angner, E., A Course in Behavioral Economics, 3rd edition, Bloomsbury, 2020.
Part 2 (Gamba): • Instructor’s slides • Selected research papers available on E-learning
Office hours Moscati: by appointment; to arrange an appointment, please write an email to ivan.moscati@uninsubria.it Gamba: by appointment; to arrange an appointment, please write an email to astrid.gamba@uninsubria.it
The Department offers a Tutoring Service. More detailed information is available at the following link: https://www.uninsubria.it/servizi/tutti-i-servizi/tutorato-dieco