PSYK2200 Behavior Analysis 2 - Applied Behavior Analysis Course description

This course presents the use of behaviour analysis in different fields. Learning and mastery are two essential concepts related to supporting and further developing an individual’s own competency. Also, this will increase their possibilities to influence their surroundings and to gain control of their own life. Different methods building on applied behaviour analysis and empirically supported approaches will be examined in the course.

Passed the course PSYK1420.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student can:

• explain the characteristics of applied behaviour analysis
• describe contingency shaped behaviour vs. rule governed behaviour
• recognize and identify basic and complex verbal behaviour
• account for functional assessment
• discuss treatment of problem behaviour
• account for requirements of empirical supported treatment
• refer to and describe empirical supported treatment within:
  • the establishing of verbal behaviour
  • the treatment of children with autism
  • interventions for children and youths/adults
  • school interventions
  • cognitive behavioural therapy and treatment of mental disorders
  • health interventions
  • training with animals (animal welfare and laboratory experiments)
• refer to applied behaviour analysis in organizations

Skills

The student can:

• express basic learning principles
• orally account for and practically demonstrate functional assessment and analysis
• determine different teaching methods to improving behaviour through procedures based on applied behaviour analysis
• master to identify basic verbal operants
• critically evaluate ethical and responsible use of behaviour analysis and professional skills
• use the current APA standards in written assignments; referring in text, the reference list and headings 

General competence

The student can:

• convey and reflect on applied behaviour analysis as a research field
• present a range of application areas within applied behaviour analysis
• convey basic learning principles for the establishment of behaviour 
• convey basic learning principle for decreasing problem behaviour
• discuss ethical and responsible use of applied behaviour analysis
• discuss professional skills

Work and teaching methods included in the course are lectures, self-study, seminars, workshops, inter-teaching sessions and group works. The students’ learning outcomes will be documented through presentations, demonstration of practical skills, written reaction papers and the examination.

To prepare for the examination must the following obtain approved:

• Minimum 80 % participation in compulsory teaching activities, seminars and workshops
• Assignment of 3 individual written papers (Reaction Papers; RP’s), maximum 900 words

Individual written home examination over four days, maximum 3 500 words

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with.

Graded scale, A-F

One internal and one external examiner