Home Continuing education courses Brain Games in Decision Making - Prejudices, Fears and Misperceptions and Overcoming Them

Brain Games in Decision Making - Prejudices, Fears and Misperceptions and Overcoming Them

Not every decision is driven by logic – it is influenced by biases, fears and perceptual errors that we are often unaware of. This course helps you recognise and understand these mechanisms and provides practical tools for making more informed choices. As a result, you will improve your decision-making, communicate more clearly, and reduce the impact of manipulation in both professional and everyday contexts.

Clearer thinking and more informed decisions in everyday work

The course provides a structured understanding of how human psychology influences decisions and behaviour. Participants learn to identify situations where thinking is shaped by biases, fears or external influences.

You will develop critical thinking skills and gain practical methods for making more informed and well-reasoned decisions.

The course also focuses on improving communication skills to reduce conflicts and build more trustworthy and effective collaboration. It supports the ability to recognise and avoid manipulation in both professional and personal contexts.

Who is Brain Games in Decision Making - Prejudices, Fears and Misperceptions and Overcoming Them intended for?

• Early- and mid-level specialists working in practical roles within organisations and involved in day-to-day problem-solving
• Students from various fields of study
• Professionals working in projects, sales, customer service or team-based roles who encounter influence, negotiations or complex decision-making situations
• Individuals who want to better understand their cognitive biases and make more informed decisions

Topics Covered

Why it matters?
Decisions are often shaped by hidden assumptions and cognitive biases.

What happens?
Discussions, examples and practical exercises.

Covers how assumptions influence judgments and decisions in different situations.
Explores conscious and unconscious biases and their impact on thinking, emotions and behaviour.

Why it matters?
Fear often influences decisions more than rational analysis.

What happens?
Discussions and practical exercises.

Examines how fears and psychological patterns shape reactions and choices.
Explores how negative experiences and expectations influence decision-making and relationships.

Why it matters?
Motivation affects both the quality of decisions and consistency of action.

What happens?
Discussions, examples and analysis.

Focuses on the role of motivation in behaviour and its links to personality and environment.
Analyses different motivational patterns and their impact on decisions and actions.

Why it matters?
Understanding decision-making and influence is critical in both professional and everyday contexts.

What happens?
Practical exercises, group work and discussions.

Covers decision-making individually and in groups.
Explores how influence and different factors shape decisions and how to manage them more consciously.

Course structure

The course is delivered in a contact learning format and is structured as two intensive study days. The learning process combines lectures, seminars and practical exercises. After the contact sessions, participants are required to complete two individual assignments as independent work.

Registration opens on July 1, 2026. The course takes place from September to December 2026 as a two-day study format.
As the number of places is limited, we recommend registering early to secure your participation.

Course details

High School Education or equivalent qualification.
Valid temporary residence permit or EU citizenship/valid living permit

Upon completion of the course, the participant:

Understands how biases, fears and perceptual errors influence decision-making, and is familiar with strategies to reduce their impact. (knowledge acquisition)
Is able to apply critical thinking and decision-making methods in everyday situations, including professional and personal contexts. (application of knowledge)
Demonstrates effective communication skills and is able to reduce conflicts in interactions, fostering a more trustworthy and collaborative environment. (social competencies)
Understands personal biases, fears and motivational barriers, and is able to manage them. (individual competencies)
Is able to apply the acquired skills in different situations, such as identifying manipulation and making well-reasoned decisions. (transferable skills)

To successfully complete the course and receive the certificate, the participant must actively participate in the contact sessions and submit the assignments within two weeks after the final session.

To successfully complete the course, participants must:
• attend lectures and seminars
• actively participate in practical exercises and discussions
• submit two written assignments

Assessment is based on participation, activity and assignments. Submission of both assignments is mandatory to pass the course. The minimum passing threshold is 51%.

Participants who complete the course will receive a continuing education certificate with ECTS credits.

The course takes place at EBS’s modern campus in Tallinn, Lauteri 3. Students have access to ergonomic classrooms, the EBS library, and the cloud-based Canvas learning platform. The study process is supported by online tools such as Zoom, MS Teams, or Canvas Conference. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the building.

Brain Games in Decision Making - Prejudices, Fears and Misperceptions and Overcoming Them