OAFP 8140 - Cognitive insights into socioeconomic inequalities

Why do inequalities persist even when social policies are put in place? Can we explain the reluctance to support social protection policies and welcome forced migrants beyond analyses in terms of political orientation? How do individual behaviour and the structure of society interact to generate inequalities? The aim of this course is to approach the question of inequalities from a psychological perspective to understand the consequences of socio-economic inequalities on behaviour as well as the behavioural and cognitive mechanisms behind these inequalities. To this end, the course will be organised around a combination of formal lectures and student-led discussions on the application of the psychological insights to concrete situations and actual public policies. Importantly, the ethical aspects and limits of adopting a psychological approach to inequalities will be discussed throughout the semester.

None

This class aims to be as much engaging and interactive as possible. Each class will dedicate 1 to the presentation of key findings on the class topic and 1 hour to the discussion on the insights based on a actual case-study led by the students

10% in-class participation

25% case-study presentation (application of the cognitive insights into a real-life situation or public policy – once in the semester – collective work)

15% case-study discussion (discussion of the limits of the psychological approach – once in the semester – collective work)

50% final paper – presentation of a psychology-informed public policy, social program or entrepreneurial project to respond to a real-life issue (3000 words – individual work).

Active preparation of the case study’s presentation and discussion (each done in group once a semester) and work on the final paper throughout the semester. Once during the second half of the semester, students will have to send 3 questions about their paper (e.g., questions about the topic they selected, the psychological mechanisms they identified). They will get responses to their questions during a short in-person meeting with Lou Safra.