MALKA211 Introduction to Behavior Analysis Course description

Work on the bachelor’s thesis is conducted full-time over eight weeks. The students work independently on the thesis. A supervisor from among the department’s staff will be appointed for each student.

The following must have been approved in order for the student to submit the bachelor’s thesis.

• Prepare and get approved an outline for the bachelor’s thesis
• Participate in organised supervision (80%)

On successful completion of the course, the student has the following learning outcomes classified as knowledge, skills and competence:

Knowledge

The student can

• describe and discuss characteristics of behavior analysis as a science
• explain core concepts and relations on classical conditioning, and operant conditioning
• discuss how prediction and control can be demonstrated in within-subject designs
• describe and exemplify different measures of reliability
• discuss different methods of observation and recording of behavior
• describe core elements of behavior chains and different ways in which such chains can be established

Skills

The student can

• select the appropriate behavioral dimensions and methods for reliable measurement, and observe and measure behavior
• identify examples of respondent conditioning
• explain how a behavior chain can be established
• identify examples of the operant paradigm
• interpret data from line and bar graphs

Competence

The student can

• provide practical examples of respondent behavior
• provide practical examples of operant conditioning
• use and explain core concepts in behavior analysis to professionals in different branches communicate important aspects of behavior analysis as a science

In the BSCA specialisation, campus-based lectures and seminars are the main teaching methods, in addition to digital simulation exercises, study questions, and student presentations. The lectures will partly be based on Interteaching sequences using readings from the curriculum. Texts used for Interteaching are announced in the digital learning platform of the university. In the BSII specialisation, the main teaching method is digital course sequences, and feedback on details of course content, and supervised discussion groups will be available during pre-determined time periods. Feedback on written assignments is used in both specialisations.

Grade scale A-F

All answers are assessed by two examiners.

An external examiner is used regularly, at a minimum of every third completion of the course. When selecting answers for external evaluation, a minimum of 10 percent of the answers shall be included, with no fewer than 5 answers. The external examiner’s assessment of the selected answers shall benefit all students.

All

Grade scale A-F

One internal and one external examiner will assess all exams.