Psychology 355: The
Psychology of Problem Solving and Decision Making
Professor: Joseph Melcher, Ph.D.
Office: 1C Whitney
House (basement)
Phone: 308-2188
COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this course you will undertake theoretical and
practical explorations in making decisions, making judgments, and solving
problems. You will gain insights and experiences that will enhance your skills
in these areas. You will also enhance your critical thinking skills. The decision
making part of the course will be somewhat more focused on theory; problem
solving will have a more experiential focus in the form of problem-solving
exercises, most of which will involve working out solutions with a partner. Participation
in these exercises will be essential. Classes will include a combination of
lectures, videos, demonstrations, and small group exercises. Grades will be
based on class participation, a journal, a take-home midterm and an in-class final.
Required text: Hastie & Dawes (2001). Rational choice
in an uncertain world: The psychology of problem solving and decision making.
Other readings on reserve, as listed in the course
schedule below.
COURSE
SCHEDULE
June 8: Introductions.
In class: Do judgment and decision making survey; complete the WASI pretest.
Start problem-solving and decision-making journal (beginning with “3-envelope
problem”). List current problems/decisions for on-going consideration.
June 10: Read (in order): Reed, ch. 14 (on reserve); H & D,
chs. 1, 2, & 3.
June 12: H & D, chs. 4, 5 & 6.
June 15: H & D, chs. 8 & 9.
June 17: H & D, chs. 10 & 11
June 22: H & D. chs. 13 & 14. Take-home exam on decision making (due June 29). Go to course Web page and do “PlayThinks” pretest.
Bring your solutions to class for scoring.
June 24: Read (in order): Reed, ch. 12; Pretz,
June 29: Read Davidson chapter and Stanovich chapter (both on
reserve). Practice TAPPS (thinking aloud) in-class, using verbal reasoning
problems (to be provided).
July 1: Read Hoenig Ch.
1 (on reserve). Use writing prompt on last page of the chapter as a journal
entry. More TAPPS, using math word problems
July 6: More TAPPS,
using puzzles.
July 8: Turn in the
WASI post-test; turn in “PlayThinks” post-test (both linked on Web page).
In-class final exam on problem-solving.
Grades:
The exams will consist of a combination of multiple choice and short answer
items. Grades will be calculated on a percentage basis as follows, based on the
following course component weights:
Component Contribution toward
grade
Plous survey 10
pts.
WASI
pretest 25 pts.
WASI
posttest 25
pts.
Journal 50 pts.
Midterm
& final 150 pts. (75 pts. each)
Attendance 45 pts. (5 pts./day except 1st and last total
Total = 305
100 ‑
98.0% = A+
97.9 ‑ 95% = A 77.9 ‑ 74% = C
94.9 ‑ 91% = A‑ 73.9 ‑ 70% = C‑
90.9 ‑ 88% = B+ 69.9 ‑ 65% = D+
87.9 ‑ 85% = B 64.9 ‑ 60% = D
84.9 ‑ 81% = B‑ 59.9 ‑ 55% = D‑
80.9 ‑ 78% = C+ < 55% = F
Make‑up
exams: I will give make‑up exams as necessary
for either of the midterms. Please
arrange them in advance or have a valid, documented reason if you had not made
prior arrangements. There can be no make-up for the final except for during the
following term and with a verified reason for the absence. Please tell me during the first week if you DO NOT want a shaded grade.
Journal: You are must keep a problem-solving and
decision-making journal of at least 10 entries and approximately 15 pages. The
first and last entries are specified. Of the other 8 entries, 2-4 should be be
“type 1” and 2-4 should be (type 2) “private writings”.
TYPE 1 (2-4 entries): These entries
should describe a recent, current, or forthcoming decision that you need to
make or a problem you need(ed) to solve. If the decision or problem was in the
past, describe how you tackled it and link your actions to some aspect from
this course. What might you have done differently had you already taken this
class? If it is a current problem or decision, apply some aspect of relevant
decision making and/or problem solving theory to help improve the outcome. How
might it have been different before taking this class? Please write legibly or
type your journal. I will grade your entries (individually) as follows: A:
thoughtful and complete, with at least three or more specific links to the
course/text per entry; B: less
thoughtful or complete, with two links to the course; C: basic, with only one
link to the course; D: very incomplete with no discernible links. Your overall
grade will be the average of the individual grades. Quality, not quantity, of writing will count
(assuming you write the minimum of 8 entries). Please type or write very legibly.
TYPE 2 (“private writing”) (2-4
entries): These do not need to be very legible! Write to solve problems as
directed in class.
Changes: I reserve the right to make adjustments to the
syllabus as may be necessary or desirable to accommodate class needs,
scheduling, etc.