Decision Making Under Uncertainty

Winter 2025 > Humanities & Social Sciences > CRIM.3520 > 061

Course No: CRIM.3520-061; SIS Class Nbr: 1051; SIS Term: 3420
Course Status: Course Full - Wait List Available

Course Description

In this course we explore the psychological process of making (or not making) high-stakes decisions in a range o f situations. Most theories of decision making (in police, business, medical and ethical contexts) emphasize selecting the "best" course of action, yet the reality is that, in the real world, there is not always a 'best' option. Most options are high-risk and most carry negative consequences. In such instances decisions involve choosing the least-worst outcome. In this course, and drawing upon the decades of psychological research in areas of decision making (in high-and-low stakes environments), and touching on cognitive, social and neurological research we look at the psychological process of making decisions in range of high-stakes environments.

Prerequisites, Notes & Instructor

  • Prerequisites: CRIM.1010 The Criminal Justice System, or PSYC.1010 Introduction to Psychological Science.
  • Core Codes: SS
  • Credits: 3; Contact Hours: 3
  • Instructor: Neil Shortland
  • UMass Lowell Bookstore

When Offered & Tuition

  • Online Course
  • 2025 Winter: Dec 30 to Jan 19
  • Course Level: Undergraduate
  • Tuition: $1155
  • Note: There is a $30 per semester registration fee for credit courses.

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