Decision Making and Rationality in the Modern World

by Keith E. Stanovich

Overview

In Decision Making and Rationality in the Modern World, Keith E. Stanovich demonstrates how work in the cognitive psychology of decision making has implications for the large and theoretically contentious debates about the nature of human rationality. Written specifically for undergraduate psychology students, the book presents a very practical approach to decision making, which is too often perceived by students as an artificial set of skills used only in academia and not in the real world. Instead, Stanovich shows how good decision-making procedures support rational behavior that enables people to act most efficiently to fulfill their goals. He explains how the concept of rationality is understood in cognitive science in terms of good decision making and judgment.

Books in the Fundamentals of Cognition series serve as ideal instructional resources for advanced courses in cognitive psychology. They provide an up-to-date, well-organized survey of our current understanding of the major theories of cognitive psychology. The books are concise, which allows instructors to incorporate the latest original research and readings into their courses without overburdening their students. Focused without being too advanced—and comprehensive without being too broad—these books are the perfect resource for both students and instructors.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780195328127
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	07/30/2009
Series:	Fundamentals in Cognition
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	8.10(w) x 5.40(h) x 0.40(d)

Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1:
Rational Thought and Behavior: Figuring Out What is True and What to Do

CHAPTER 2:
Decision Making: Rationality of Action

CHAPTER 3:
Judgment: Rationality of Belief

CHAPTER 4:
How Bad Is Our Decision Making?: The Great Rationality Debate

CHAPTER 5:
Resolving the Debate About the Rationality of Judgment and
Decision Making: A Dual Process Account

CHAPTER 6:
Meta-Rationality: Good Decision-Making Strategies are Self Correcting