What is the role of philosophy in the science of human behaviour? What is the relevance of understanding the philosophical underpinnings of applied behaviour analysis for clinicians and practitioners? This module develops your understanding of the philosophical underpinnings of applied behaviour analysis, with careful consideration of the relevance of these to practice. You will learn to understand behaviour from various perspectives, including radical behaviourism, methodological behaviourism, and functional contextualism. You will also learn about opposing yet common perspectives about behaviour, like mentalism. This module will equip you to critically consider perspectives on behaviour and align your practice to the core dimensions of applied behaviour analysis and the philosophical underpinnings of applied behaviour analysis and positive behaviour support. By discussing controversies related to radical behaviourism, this module develops your ability to unpack this philosophy and its relevance to our practice critically. Clear links are drawn throughout the teaching, drawing together philosophy and the relevance for clinical practice. By understanding philosophy, you will gain a deeper understanding of practice in applied behaviour analysis and positive behaviour support throughout this module.
Lecture (in person)-), (Distance Learning, Asynchronous) 42, Synthesis session (in person)-), (Distance Learning Synchronous) 3
The module is compulsory for the following courses
MSc in Applied Behaviour Analysis and Positive Behaviour Support
This module is not available as an optional module
Case Study 1,500 words worth 30%
Essay 2,500 words worth 70%- This Assessment is Pass Compulsory.
Reassessment Method: Like-for-like
The University is committed to ensuring that core reading materials are in accessible electronic format in line with the Kent Inclusive Practices. The most up to date reading list for each module can be found on the university's reading list pages.
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
On successfully completing the module, students will be able to:
1) Critically examine the origins and objectives of applied behaviour analysis, focusing on its goals—description, prediction, and control—and its philosophical foundations as a natural science, including empiricism, determinism, and selectionism.
2) Critically apply an advanced understanding of the philosophical underpinnings of applied behaviour analysis and positive behaviour support, including radical behaviourism and functional contextualism.
3) Differentiate and demonstrate an advanced understanding of behaviourism, the experimental analysis of behaviour, applied behaviour analysis, and professional practice informed by behaviour analysis. Critically evaluate how professional practice can cultivate positive relationships and emphasise context-sensitive support approaches.
4) Justify, at an advanced level, complex behaviour from the perspective of radical behaviourism and contrast this with mentalistic perspectives with a particular focus on the behaviour of children and adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
5) Analyse and interpret in depth the core dimensions of applied behaviour analysis as originally developed by Baer, Wolf, and Risley while also exploring their ongoing evolution and refinement in contemporary practice.
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