Core Module Information
Module title: Behavioural Finance

SCQF level: 09:
SCQF credit value: 20.00
ECTS credit value: 10

Module code: FIN09108
Module leader: Wenzhao Wang
School The Business School
Subject area group: Accounting and Finance
Prerequisites

N/A

Description of module content:

The module provides an introduction to a relatively new area in finance by reviewing alternative theories of risk-taking behaviour and identifying the most important biases in information processing that affect our ability to reach rational decisions. The broad themes covered are: the rationality or irrationality of consumers and other economic agents; aspects of economic and consumer life, including managing personal finances, material possessions and shopping (normal, impulse and compulsive); and social and cultural influences, including materialistic values, money and happiness, and advertising. The module examines two inter-related questions: what are the psychological mechanisms of individuals' social and economic behaviours, and how do society and the economy act on the psychology of individuals? Topics to be covered will include individual economic behaviours such as work, buying, saving, giving, and gambling. Economic forces acting on individual behaviour include the monetary system, taxation, advertising, economic growth and development, and special economic conditions such as those experienced by children, or by people in other, less developed economies.

Learning Outcomes for module:

LO1: Assess the assumption of “rationality” of consumers and other economic agents
LO2: Reflect on a number of financial theories and models with respect to their impact on financial decision-making
LO3: Evaluate the links between investor perceptions of risk and return as it impacts trading behaviours
LO4: Assess the psychological effects of advertising on investor decision-making
LO5: Assess the rationality or irrationality of the behaviour of investors
LO6: Evaluate research on psychological factors regarding attitudes to work and retirement

Full Details of Teaching and Assessment
2023/4, Trimester 2, FACE-TO-FACE, Edinburgh Napier University
VIEW FULL DETAILS
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: FACE-TO-FACE
Location of delivery: CRAIGLOCKHAR
Partner: Edinburgh Napier University
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Barry MacLennan
Module Organiser:


Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)
Face To Face Lecture 12
Face To Face Tutorial 20
Independent Learning Guided independent study 168
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words
Essay 40 LO1-4 9 , WORDS= 2500
Centrally Time Tabled Examination 60 LO1-6 14/15 HOURS= 02.00
Component 1 subtotal: 40
Component 2 subtotal: 60
Module subtotal: 100

Indicative References and Reading List - URL:
Behavioural Finance FIN09108