Psychology·Course
Decision Psychology
Cognitive biases, behavioral economics, influence psychology, negotiations and decision-making under uncertainty
Part of the Business & Economics track — finish it for a verifiable diploma →
§ 01 — Orientation
New here?
What you'll be able to do, who this is for, how long it takes, and where to begin.
By the end, you will be able to
- 01Catch cognitive biases in yourself and others.
- 02Apply behavioral economics to real choices.
- 03Understand the psychology of influence and persuasion.
- 04Make better decisions under uncertainty.
- 05Design choices that nudge toward better outcomes.
Who this is for
How long it takes
- Quick orientationSkim the opening module and the cheatsheet to get the shape of it.~2 h
- Full read-throughRead every article once, in order.~3 h
- Mastery pathRead, take the quizzes, and space out your reviews.~2 weeks
- APA
Stoa. (2026). Decision Psychology [Online course]. Stoa. https://stoa.school/course/psychology
- MLA
Stoa. “Decision Psychology.” Stoa, 2026, https://stoa.school/course/psychology.
- Chicago
Stoa. “Decision Psychology.” Stoa. Accessed September 1, 2026. https://stoa.school/course/psychology.
§ 02 — Curriculum
5 modules.
Each module is a small unit. Most read in sequence — but a determined reader can begin anywhere.
- M ICognitive BiasesSystematic thinking errors, heuristics, prospect theory, biases in business decisions, and methods to mitigate them5 articles
30 minBegin → - M IIDecision-Making Under PressurePsychology of stress and errors under pressure, intuition vs analysis, managing uncertainty, structured decision-making5 articles
30 minBegin → - M IIINegotiation PsychologyPsychological foundations of negotiation: influence, anchoring, emotions, trust, BATNA, and complex negotiation situations5 articles
30 minBegin → - M IVGroup Dynamics and Social InfluenceBehavior in groups, social norms, conformity, leadership in teams, intergroup conflict, and team effectiveness5 articles
30 minBegin → - M VPsychology of Investors and MarketsBehavioral finance: market irrationality, investor emotions, market bubbles, institutional distortions, and behavioral investing5 articles
30 minBegin →
§ 03 — Learning outcomes
4 outcomes.
Identify cognitive biases that affect business decisions and apply methods to mitigate them
Apply concepts of behavioral economics to forecast the behavior of consumers and counterparties
Use principles of persuasion and social influence in negotiations, sales, and management
Structure complex decisions, manage risks, and avoid systemic errors in conditions of uncertainty
§ 04 — Practices