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Behavioral Economics

Learn about what motivates and blocks human behavior, and how to influence behavior in ethically appropriate ways. Working in a team, design and implement a course of action to help a partner organization achieve their environmental justice goals.

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Course Information

DEPARTMENT(S):
Economics

PROFESSOR:
Nejem Raheem

PARTNER ORGANIZATION: Speak for the Trees

LEARNING PARTNERS:
Cynthia Francis, Cynthia Loesch-Johnson, Todd Mistor, Julia Rudolph

This is a course on the synthesis of economics, psychology, and evolution which calls itself behavioral economics. The material students learn in this class is used in marketing as well as in government policy and environmental protection, to mention a few areas. Behavioral economics has a more empirical, realistic, and nuanced view of human behavior than conventional or “neoclassical” microeconomics. The class will discuss how the findings of behavioral economists (and other behavioral scientists) can be used to ethically influence people's behavior.

Xander Toti and Nate Martin holding a prototype illustration

A Look Inside the Co-Creation Process

by studio assistant Paulina Matheu

LOVE ON YOUR PARKS

On March 19, we had the very inspiring guest speaker, Cynthia Loesch-Johnson, who is the president of the Codman Square Neighborhood Council. She gave us insight on how her and other community members fought to transform the park from one not many people wanted to use to a place where kids have movie nights and families hang out on sunny days. The Love on Your Parks initiative advocated for park renovations, such as planting more trees, adding benches, restoring the playgrounds and basketball courts, etc. In 2010, the residents of the community secured enough capital dollars to be able to go through with the initiative. 

BRAINSTORMING BEHAVIORAL NUDGES

The Behavioral Economics studio's final project focused on coming up with behavioral solutions that could improve the health of the trees in Dorchester's parks, specifically the Dr. Loesch Family Park. One of the issues that we are hoping to address is dog owners letting their pets tinkle on the trees, as well as kids climbing on trees, both of which can decrease tree health.

The Behavioral Economics class visited the park in person, and got to see the beauty for ourselves. During the class visit, we brainstormed ways to change behaviors through Nudges, which is a concept in behavioral economics and psychology that refers to a gentle, indirect, or subtle suggestion designed to influence people's behavior or decision-making without restricting their freedom of choice. "Nudges" is an acronym that stands for 

  • iNcentives
  • Understanding Mappings
  • Defaults
  • Give Feedback
  • Expect Error 
  • Structure Complex Choices 

Inspired by Cynthia Loesch's passionate account of the park's renovation, we were reminded of the power of community-driven initiatives and the positive changes they can bring. Our on-site visit to the park reinforced our commitment, allowing us to witness its beauty firsthand. Through our brainstorming sessions, we developed a multifaceted approach to address the challenges of dog waste and tree climbing. This course has been very unique compared to other courses at Emerson, as we have been able to take the concepts learned in class, and apply them to actually change a community and leave a positive impact.

DIVIDING INTO GROUPS FOR FINAL PROJECTS

The first group focused on raising awareness about the Black Forest Project, an existing initiative to remember the Black lives lost from COVID-19. Participants planted twelve trees within Dr. Loesch Family Park, dedicating each tree to commemorate a life lost. The group suggested ways to make this initiative more visible to passersby by adding signage in front of the trees in the park. This would both encourage visitors to learn more about the initiative and, hopefully, discourage behavior that could harm the trees by associating the trees with specific human meaning.

The second group prototyped PupPee Zones, which would be designated zones in the park where dogs could use the bathroom, giving dog owners an clear alternative to letting their dogs use the park's trees.

The last group, which was my group, came up with an intervention to partner with local schools for an art project that would educate students on the importance of environmental health within the park, as well as encourage community stewardship and imaginative thinking. The project would prompt students to draw their dream version of Loesch Family park, with an emphasis on environmental sustainability. These art projects would be showcased on displays in front of each tree, alongside QR codes linking to more resources.

The final project was very rewarding, as each group was presenting their ideas to Cynthia, one of the community leaders who advocated for Dr. Loesch Park's renovations. She felt that she could implement some of these ideas and was really happy with the interventions each group suggested. I'm optimistic that the Codman community will be able to bring some of our class ideas to life.

Spring 2024 - Behavioral Economics Studio Participants

Studio Contact

Are you an Emerson student interested in enrolling in this course in the future? Please contact  [email protected] to learn more!

Spring 2024 - Behavioral Economics Partner