Psychology and Economics Course for High School Students: Why Behavioral Economics Is a Smart Winter Choice
A good psychology and economics course for Class 9 to 12 students should explain why people make the choices they do, and then let students apply that knowledge to something real. Behavioral economics does exactly this. It sits between psychology, economics and design, which makes it a strong choice for students who have not yet settled on a single stream.
Your child should finish with a project that shows they can spot the psychology behind a decision and redesign it.
What Behavioral Economics Actually Studies
Classical economics assumes people make rational choices. Behavioral economics studies how people actually behave, which is often quite different.
Why do people pay more for the same coffee in a nicer cup? Why does "only 2 left in stock" make us buy faster? Why does spending on UPI feel easier than handing over cash?
The field has serious academic weight. Psychologist Daniel Kahneman won the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 2002 for his work on decision-making. Richard Thaler won the same prize in 2017 for his contributions to behavioral economics.
Why It Matters for Your Child
Every app your child uses is designed with this psychology. Streaks, notifications, countdown timers and limited-stock banners are all built to shape behaviour. Learning how they work helps students make more deliberate choices of their own.
It also opens career paths that are growing in India and abroad: behavioral scientist, UX researcher, consumer insights analyst, marketing and growth manager, and public policy or social impact campaign designer. The same principles are used in public health campaigns and government policy.
For students considering psychology, economics, design or business at university, this is a practical early introduction that goes beyond textbook definitions.
What a Good Course Should Cover
System 1 and System 2 thinking: the fast, instinctive mind versus the slow, deliberate one.
Cognitive biases: anchoring, confirmation bias and social proof, with everyday examples.
The psychology of money: loss aversion, mental accounting and framing.
Real-world breakdowns: how apps, checkout pages and public campaigns use these ideas.
An applied project: redesigning something real, with a clear explanation of the psychology behind each change.
Other Options Worth Knowing
Students taking CBSE Psychology in Classes 11 and 12 get a solid academic base. For reading, Kahneman's Thinking, Fast and Slow and Thaler and Sunstein's Nudge are the two classic introductions. Yale's Introduction to Psychology on Coursera is a free, well-regarded online option. A live program adds what these lack: applying the ideas to a project with expert feedback.
The Futurowise Winter Program: Psychology and Behavioral Economics
Program at a glance
Starts: Thursday, December 24, 2026
Duration: 2 weeks (Dec 24 to Jan 7), 6 live online sessions
For: Grade 9 to 12
Cohort size: 10 to 12 students
Fee: ₹18,000
Instructors: Sai Amritha, who holds a master's in behavioral and economic science from the University of Warwick; and Akanksha Shettigar, Associate Professor at Symbiosis and formerly at NMIMS
Outcome: A published before-and-after redesign and a certificate
Week 1 covers how behavioral economics differs from classical economics, System 1 and System 2 thinking, core cognitive biases, and the psychology of money, including case studies on subscription pricing, supermarket layouts and spending on UPI. Week 2 breaks down how apps use streaks and notifications, how checkout pages reduce cart abandonment, and how public health campaigns get people to act.
Each student then picks a product screen, app flow, ad or campaign and redesigns it using psychological principles. The program ends with a two-minute pitch explaining the before and after.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a psychology course or an economics course?
Both. It uses psychology to explain economic decisions, which is why it suits students from any stream.
Does my child need to study psychology at school?
No. Students receive a short pre-read on how the brain makes decisions before the first session.
How does this help with college applications?
The redesign is published on Futurowise with a shareable link. Students can build on it for the International Psychology Olympiad, the John Locke Institute essay competition and APA TOPSS competitions.
Will my child learn to manipulate people?
The course teaches students to recognise these techniques and use them responsibly, including in public health and policy settings.
Learn More About the Program
Psychology and Behavioral Economics starts on December 24 with small cohorts of 10 to 12 students. See the full session plan, instructor profiles and registration details here:
