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75822-01 - Master's project: Mechanismen der Entscheidungsfindung und psychische Störungen (5 CP)
| Semester | spring semester 2025 |
| Course frequency | Once only |
| Lecturers | Lukas Schumacher (lu.schumacher@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | Decision-making is a fundamental aspect of human behavior, shaping our daily lives and long-term outcomes. Most significant life choices often involve an element of risk or uncertainty, as the potential consequences cannot always be predicted with certainty. Risk preferences vary widely between individuals and might be shaped by a combination of personality traits, past experiences, and even situational factors. Research has shown that individuals with mental disorders often encounter distinct challenges in their decision-making processes. These challenges may manifest as specific patterns in risk preferences, such as heightened loss aversion or risk aversion. Examining these relationships is crucial for gaining deeper insights into the cognitive and emotional mechanisms underlying mental health conditions, ultimately contributing to more targeted and effective interventions. In this Master’s project, we will explore how specific mental disorders are linked to alterations in decision-making mechanisms. The focus will be on the relationship between mental health impairments (e.g., depression or anxiety) and tendencies toward loss aversion, risk aversion. By identifying these connections, we aim to shed light on the interplay between cognitive biases and mental health challenges. Students are encouraged to contribute their own ideas and interests to shape the research direction and formulate unique research questions within the overarching theme. |
| Learning objectives | - Gain an understanding of decision-making theories, including risk and loss aversion, and their rele-vance to mental health. - Develop the ability to formulate precise and testable research questions within the theme of deci-sion-making and mental health. - Acquire skills in designing experimental studies to investigate decision-making behaviors and mental health-related outcomes. - Learn to analyze decision-making data using appropriate statistical and computational tools. - Interpret the results to draw meaningful conclusions about the relationships between mental health impairments and decision-making mechanisms. - Improve academic communication skills by presenting findings, writing clear reports, and discussing results with peers and supervisors. |
| Bibliography | Sediyama, C. Y. N., de Castro Martins, C., & Teodoro, M. L. M. (2020). Association of Loss Aversion, Personality Traits, Depressive, Anxious, and Suicidal Symptoms: Systematic Review. Clinical neuropsychiatry, 17(5), 286–294. https://doi.org/10.36131/cnfioritieditore20200505 Walasek, L., Mullett, T. L., & Stewart, N. (2024). A meta-analysis of loss aversion in risky contexts. Journal of Economic Psychology, 103, 102740. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joep.2024.102740 Lee D. (2013). Decision making: from neuroscience to psychiatry. Neuron, 78(2), 233–248. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2013.04.008 Cáceda, R., Nemeroff, C. B., & Harvey, P. D. (2014). Toward an Understanding of Decision Making in Severe Mental Illness. The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 26(3), 196–213. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.neuropsych.12110268 |
| Comments | Unterrichtssprache: Deutsch und/oder Englisch. Zugehöriges Kolloquium (StO24): "Health, Intervention and Decision Making". |
| Admission requirements | Abgeschlossenes Bachelorstudium Psychologie. |
| Language of instruction | German |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Monday | 10.15-11.45 | Missionsstrasse 64a, Seminarraum 00.003 |
Dates
| Modules |
Module: Master's Project in Health and Interventions (Master's Studies: Psychology) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | Für die regelmässige Teilnahme am Masterprojekt (StO24) werden 5 KP vergeben, zusätzlich werden mit dem Masterkolloquium (StO24) 2 KP erworben (StO24). Insgesamt müssen im Modul "Masterprojekt" (StO24) 14 KP erworben werden. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration, dereg: cancel course registration |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | no repetition |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Psychology, studiendekanat-psychologie@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Faculty of Psychology |