Applied Behavioral Science: Guide to Human Decision-Making

Why do people make choices that seem irrational, and how can we predict these patterns to improve outcomes? Understanding the psychological drivers behind human action is key to designing better products, public policies, and organizational strategies. This text-based course guides you from foundational psychological concepts to the practical application of behavioral insights. You will transition from guessing why people act the way they do to systematically analyzing and influencing behavior using evidence-based frameworks. What you will learn: Understand foundational concepts of cognitive biases, heuristics, and dual-process theory; Apply nudge theory and choice architecture to guide decision-making ethically; Design behavioral interventions to solve real-world problems in business and policy; Analyze human behavior in digital environments, identifying cognitive friction and user patterns; Evaluate the ethical implications of behavioral design to avoid manipulative practices. You will start by exploring core definitions and historical frameworks of behavioral economics. From there, you will progress through written case studies, practical scenarios, and conceptual exercises that demonstrate how to implement and measure behavioral change. Designed for beginners, this course requires no prior background in psychology or economics, making it ideal for aspiring policy designers, product managers, and curious learners. Start reading today to unlock a deeper understanding of human decision-making.