The Neuropsychology of Decision Making

A Certificate of Participation is awarded to participants who contribute constructively to weekly discussions and exercises/learning activities for the duration of the course. This tutor-led, cohort-based online course is 7-weeks in duration and is made up of 5 teaching units. Unit 1 - Introduction to neuroanatomy & neurodevelopment This unit will provide participants with a basic understanding of anatomy and development, providing an important basis for the following weeks. This unit 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: - To develop an understanding of basic brain anatomy. - To develop a basic understanding of how the human brain develops. Unit 2 - The importance of the prefrontal cortex This unit 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 unit will cover research evidence surrounding the involvement of the prefrontal cortex in various aspects of decision making. Learning outcomes: - To develop an understanding of what the human prefrontal cortex is and why it is important in decision making. Unit 3 - Neurotransmitters, Neurophysiology and decision networks This unit 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: - To build 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. Unit 4 - Decision making styles & the role of childhood experiences in decision-making This unit puts the previous units 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 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. Unit 5 - Decision making deficits This unit brings together everything covered in units 1-4 in terms of neurotypical decision making, to explore deficits in decision making, such as that seen in schizophrenia. The content of this unit 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.