PSYCH560-23B (HAM)

Applied Behaviour Analysis: Theory and Issues

15 Points

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The University of Waikato
Academic Divisions
Division of Arts Law Psychology & Social Sciences
School of Psychology Office
School of Psychology

Staff

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Convenor(s)

Tania Blackmore

Tania Blackmore
8082
J.1.25
See Moodle
tania.blackmore@waikato.ac.nz

Lecturer(s)

Administrator(s)

Placement/WIL Coordinator(s)

Tutor(s)

Student Representative(s)

Lab Technician(s)

Librarian(s)

: em.pooley@waikato.ac.nz

You can contact staff by:

  • Calling +64 7 838 4466 select option 1, then enter the extension.
  • Extensions starting with 4, 5, 9 or 3 can also be direct dialled:
    • For extensions starting with 4: dial +64 7 838 extension.
    • For extensions starting with 5: dial +64 7 858 extension.
    • For extensions starting with 9: dial +64 7 837 extension.
    • For extensions starting with 3: dial +64 7 2620 + the last 3 digits of the extension e.g. 3123 = +64 7 262 0123.
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What this paper is about

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Students in this paper explore the conceptual issues around behaviour analysis, including those underlying the implementation of behavioural programmes across a wide range of applied areas. A focus is on the philosophical underpinnings but we will also learn about topics that are currently under debate. Topics covered include the scientist-practitioner model, evidence-based practice, private events (including fear and anxiety), causation of behaviour, the use of aversive strategies, and the clinical application of behaviour analysis. It will also introduce the theoretical background to some contemporary therapies, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

The overall aim is to help you understand the philosophical and conceptual foundations of a behavioural approach to psychology and to help provide a framework within which you can understand, study and work practically for behaviour change. It is the intention that you will gain the academic knowledge required to undertake research and practice in this area, be able to review such research critically and learn to talk and write critically about the issues covered.

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How this paper will be taught

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This paper will be delivered in FLEXI mode. There will be online as well as face to face lectures, for more in-depth discussions. Please note that some elements require students to be online at specific times.

Before the start of semester, please check in the Online Timetable for any changes to lecture times or venues.

Tutorial Exercises

There are also online Tutorials associated with this paper on Moodle. The Tutorials require a minimum of two hours a week, consisting of attending to recorded lectures, or reading discussion materials, and completing exercises on Moodle.

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Required Readings

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Details of the required readings are given in the full course outline or Moodle and where possible the pdf file or URL will be on Moodle.
Additional readings will be posted from time to time. It is assumed that all students will have read Baum, W. M. (2017). Understanding behaviourism (3rd ed.). West Sussex: Wiley Blackwell. The other important text for this paper is: Catania, A. C. (2017). The ABCs of behavior analysis. Corn-wall on Hudson: Sloan.

There are too many relevant journals that will be useful to you in this course to list here. Most of these are available electronically online through the university library. The Journal of Applied Behaviour Analysis (JABA) and The Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behaviour (JEAB) are both now available electronically as are all their back issues (use the University Library Link to get the last 6 months online.

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Learning Outcomes

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Students who successfully complete the course should be able to:

  • Describe the scientist practitioner model, and how it relates to practice-based evidence and evidence-based practice as well as critically evaluate its present role in professional practice
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  • Describe a number of contemporary behavioural approaches appropriate for the treatment of verbal adults
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  • Discuss current themes regarding the understanding of social behaviour, private events, emotions, verbal behaviour and what maintains and regulates these
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  • Discuss the key themes around the debate regarding the relevance of motivating operations
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  • Outline the key arguments regarding the aversives debate including the case for using aversive interventions on some occasions as well as the broader case against their use
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  • Discuss terms such as self, motivation, creativity, thought, imagination and observational (vicarious) learning, from a behavioural perspective
    Linked to the following assessments:
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Assessments

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How you will be assessed

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Performance in this paper is assessed in a number of ways including the completion of weekly tasks, written assignments, and a final internal test.
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The internal assessment/exam ratio (as stated in the University Calendar) is 100:0. There is no final exam. The final exam makes up 0% of the overall mark.

The internal assessment/exam ratio (as stated in the University Calendar) is 100:0 or 0:0, whichever is more favourable for the student. The final exam makes up either 0% or 0% of the overall mark.

Component DescriptionDue Date TimePercentage of overall markSubmission MethodCompulsory
1. Annotated Bibliography
21 Aug 2023
No set time
20
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
2. Essay
2 Oct 2023
No set time
30
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
3. Tutorials
20
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
4. Final Test
11 Oct 2023
No set time
30
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
✔
Assessment Total:     100    
Failing to complete a compulsory assessment component of a paper will result in an IC grade
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