Decision Psychology, Happiness, and the COVID-19 Pandemic

Decision Psychology, Happiness, and the COVID-19 Pandemic

Spring (9 - 13 hours) | This course is completed

New Course

4/13/2021-5/18/2021

2:30 PM-4:30 PM EDT on Tue

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$65.00

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Decision psychology has greatly improved our understanding of the dynamics of decision-making, a field especially relevant today when people’s decisions play a key role in controlling the spread of COVID-19.

Psychologists Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky conducted groundbreaking research into how we make difficult decisions. Kahneman, who won the 2002 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, has adapted their rigorous research papers into an approachable and best-selling book, Thinking, Fast and Slow.

Working with selected chapters, we will provide an overview of Kahneman’s and Tversky’s arguments in terms of our own decision-making, individual decisions about controlling Covid-19, and the goal of promoting overall well-being. We will also refer to Barry Schwartz's book, The Paradox of Choice: Why More is Less.

In each session, we will use summary notes, slide presentations, and application exercises to foster understandability and discussion. We will also formulate indicators to include in a Gross Happiness Index to supplement the currently used Gross Domestic Product.There is no required reading for this course.

  • Optional Texts:
  • Thinking, Fast and Slow - Daniel Kahneman (ISBN-13: 978-0374533557)
  • The Paradox of Choice: Why More is Less -Barry Schwartz (ISBN-13: 970-060005696)
Llewellyn-Thomas, Hilary

For over 35 years Hilary Llewellyn-Thomas, PhD, wrote research-based scientific papers about individuals’ decision making in close-call health care situations. Since retiring, she’s been able to devote time to writing historical fiction. Her novel, I Claim My Right of Answer, tells the story of the first noblewoman to be imprisoned—along with her five young children—in the Tower of London. To enhance its brain-grabbing characteristics, Hilary is working on the manuscript’s 3,968th revision.

 

Schnur, Alan

Since retiring in the Upper Valley, after an international career with the World Health Organization, Alan has returned to his “American history roots”. He finds amending the U.S. Constitution increasingly relevant today considering how dysfunctional the U.S. Government has become, and the amendments being proposed by left and right wing groups. Alan has BA (history) and MPH degrees, and has led or co-led 10 Osher courses.