Aims of the course
- To gain an understanding of the brain structures involved in decision-making and how they develop.
- To gain an understanding of the neural mechanisms of decision-making processes and how these are influenced.
- To gain an understanding of decision-making deficits and their role in psychological disorders.
Target audience
Marketing & consumer psychology specialists wanting an improved understanding of what influences consumers decision-making behaviour, how different populations and demographics are likely to make decisions and how the decision-making process can be advantageous in marketing strategies.
Child development specialists, childcare, early years education practitioners looking for an improved understanding of the implications of early experiences, shaping early years education and experiences.
Psychology and mental health professionals for children (counsellors, social workers, CAMHS) looking for an improved understanding of the neurological and psychological impact of early experiences and the importance of experiences in key developmental periods.
Psychology and mental health professionals for adults (counsellors, prison service, mental health care) looking for an improved understanding of the possible roles of early experiences in behaviours exhibited in adulthood. Specifically, in terms of psychological disorders associated with decision making deficits. Improving understanding of the underlying neurological processes of decision-making, driving external behaviours.
Learning outcomes
- Identify the key anatomical and physiological components of decision making from a neuropsychological perspective
- Explain decision-making development in terms of executive function, the role of the prefrontal cortex and influences on development
- Outline decision-making deficits and roles of decision-making in psychological disorders
Schedule (this course is completed entirely online)
Orientation Week: 9-15 September 2024
Teaching Weeks: 16 September-20 October 2024
Feedback Week: 21-27 October 2024
Teaching week 1 - Introduction to neuroanatomy & neurodevelopment
This week will provide participants with a basic understanding of anatomy and development, providing an important basis for the following weeks. This week will not have a specific focus on decision making, but provides students with a basic knowledge that will be needed to be able to understand the later content on decision making.
Learning outcomes:
- Develop an understanding of basic brain anatomy
- Develop a basic understanding of how the human brain develops
Teaching week 2 - The importance of the prefrontal cortex
This week will provide participants with an understanding of what the prefrontal cortex is and how it is involved in high order processes, specifically decision making. Participants will gain a general understanding of what makes the prefrontal cortex unique in terms of structure and function. This week will cover research evidence surrounding the involvement of the prefrontal cortex in various aspects of decision making.
Learning outcomes:
- Develop an understanding of what the human prefrontal cortex is and why it is important in decision making
Teaching week 3 - Neurotransmitters, Neurophysiology and decision networks
This week will build upon the anatomical and physiological knowledge developed so far, gaining a more complex understanding of how decisions are made. Participants will learn about the neurotransmitters involved in a decision and how they 'act' in terms of physiology. Participants will also learn about brain connectivity, specifically research evidence surrounding the specific connections and networks involved in decision making.
Learning outcomes:
- Building on previous learning to develop a more in depth understanding of the decision making process from a neurophysiological perspective.
- To begin to build an understanding of the brain networks involved in decisions.
Teaching week 4 - Decision making styles & the role of childhood experiences in decision-making
This week puts the previous weeks learning into an applied context, exploring decision making and development of decision making as a dynamic process. Specifically, there will be a focus on differences in decision making style exhibited in adulthood and factors in childhood that can affect the development of decision making.
Learning outcomes:
- To be able to put their previous learning into context.
- To build on basic neuroanatomical and physiological understanding from previous weeks, to explore the development of decision making in more detail.
- To develop a further understanding of decision making and what influences it.
Teaching week 5 - Decision making deficits
This week brings together everything covered in teaching weeks 1-4 in terms of neurotypical decision making, to explore deficits in decision making, such as that seen in schizophrenia. The content this week will cover observed decision-making deficits, research evidence suggesting underlying biological causes and the roles of external factors e.g. in childhood.
Learning outcomes:
- To build on previous knowledge of neurotypical decision making to gain an understanding of how decision making deficits contribute to psychological disorders and how they manifest.
Each week of an online course is roughly equivalent to 2-3 hours of classroom time. On top of this, participants should expect to spend roughly 2-3 hours reading material, etc., although this will vary from person to person.
While they have a specific start and end date and will follow a weekly schedule (for example, week 1 will cover topic A, week 2 will cover topic B), our tutor-led online courses are designed to be flexible and as such would normally not require participants to be online for a specific day of the week or time of the day (although some tutors may try to schedule times where participants can be online together for web seminars, which will be recorded so that those who are unable to be online at certain times are able to access material).
Virtual Learning Environment
Unless otherwise stated, all course material will be posted on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) so that they can be accessed at any time throughout the duration of the course and interaction with your tutor and fellow participants will take place through a variety of different ways which will allow for both synchronous and asynchronous learning (discussion boards etc).
Certificate of participation
A Certificate of Participation will be awarded to participants who contribute constructively to weekly discussions and exercises/assignments for the duration of the course.
What our students say:
"Clear and concise, and I loved the fact that the sessions are divided into bite sized learning making it easier to capture the information and study based on our availability."
"The papers were excellent, and the discussion topics really stimulating."
"Show how practicing self-control can lead to improvements in decision-making."
"Thorough, knowledgeable, interactive, helpful. Thank you!"
"The tutor was engaged and provided feedback in the discussions."
