PSYK3500 Evolution and Behavior Course description

The course provides an introduction to how theories on evolution and behaviour analysis can explain the behaviour of animals and humans. The course covers key topics in modern evolutionary biology, behavioural ecology and selection in relation to consequences. This includes an introduction to topics from biology, evolutionary psychology, anthropology and behaviour analysis views on selection and culture.

Admission to the programme.

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

Knowledge

The student

• has knowledge of similarities and differences between selection in evolutionary biology, behaviour analysis and cultures
• is familiar with interactions between selection principles at the different levels
• has broad knowledge of basic principles and theories in modern evolution biology
• has broad knowledge of key topics in behavioural ecology
• has knowledge of key topics in modern genetics and understanding of heredity
• is familiar with the significance of natural selection to the nervous system’s structure and function
• has knowledge of basic research areas in evolutionary psychology

Skills

The student is capable of

• using principles of cultural selection in relation to changes in organisations and groups
• finding examples of how specific behaviour can be explained from an evolutionary perspective
• reflecting on topics and theories in evolution and behaviour

Competence

The student

• has insight into the biological basis of behaviour in animals, including humans
• is capable of describing selection as an explanatory model both orally and in writing
• is familiar with new ideas and innovation processes in behaviour analysis as a holistic discipline based on selection sciences

This course will examine relational skills and group processes both from a social psychological and behaviour analysis perspective. Counselling skills in practical training will be emphasised. The course will cover behaviour phenomena that are the focus of social psychologists.

Admission to the programme.

Supervised individual written exam, 4 hours.

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

Knowledge

The student has knowledge of

• key perspectives in social psychology
• specific fields of research and experiments in social psychology
• counselling theories

Skills

The student is capable of

• discussing behaviour analytic perspectives on behaviour phenomena in social psychology
• describing motivation theory on the basis of a social psychology and a behaviour analytic perspective
• explaining the terms verbal society, rule compliance and instruction control
• describing the counselling process and its stages, and demonstrating counselling skills
• describing different counselling techniques and effective communication
• describing factors that can promote cooperation, trigger conflicts and solve conflicts
• describing and demonstrating how to give positive and corrective feedback in a counselling process

Competence

The student is capable of

• utilising research from both social psychology and behaviour analysis in the analysis of social behaviour
• discussing counselling from a behaviour analytic perspective
• efficiently leading meetings and groups

Work and teaching methods used in the course are lectures, seminars, group work, practical exercises and demonstrations (workshops), and self-study. The students’ learning outcomes will be documented through the home exam.

Two internal examiners