19-469 Behavior, Decision and Policy

9 units, Carnegie Mellon University

Behavioral science can inform policy making in three ways: (a) improving two-way communication between the public and policy makers; (b) creating policies that make realistic assumptions about human behavior; (c) disciplining the expert judgment needed to analyze risks. The course will introduce and discuss the technical and ethical foundations of behavioral research and risk analysis, setting them in their historical, social, and political context. It will apply them to a wide variety of technology-related policies, including energy (e.g., conservation, nuclear power), environment (e.g., climate, pollution), health (e.g., vaccines, trauma triage), national security (e.g., terrorism, intelligence analysis), and others, including ones proposed by students. Students will acquire a critical perspective on policies in their lives, society, and profession.

Prerequisites: none listed

Offered: Fall 2026, Fall 2025

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