What is human behaviour, and what influences it? Understanding human behaviour has never been more relevant than today in the face of our rapidly evolving society. By introducing you to the concepts and principles of applied behaviour analysis, this module develops your ability to understand the factors that influence human behaviour and to consider these factors critically. You will develop your ability to dissect a situation to understand why a behaviour occurred. You will learn about concepts such as respondent and operant conditioning, verbal behaviour, stimulus equivalence and generative learning, among others. In this module, we will build on the concepts, taking you on a journey from the fundamentals like respondent and operant conditioning to advanced concepts like contingency adduction. Lessons will dynamically build on each other, with teaching focused on real-world examples and research. The blend of fundamental and advanced concepts and principles will equip you with the foundational knowledge to analyse the factors influencing human behaviour from a theoretical and applied perspective.
Lecture (in person), (Distance Learning, Asynchronous) 42, Synthesis session (in person-), (Distance Learning Synchronous) 3
1,500 words Concept map of factors that influence human behaviour: Present examples as spider maps/diagrams of various concepts and principles. at 30%
3,000 words Essay:Literature review showcasing how behavioural principles are used in research and clinical practice and their implications. at 70%- This Assessment is Pass Compulsory.
Reassessment Method: Like-for-like
On successfully completing the module, students will be able to:
1) Critically describe and differentiate between respondent and operant behaviour, delving into their respective concepts and processes (e.g., conditioning) while also critically analysing their respective applications in supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
2) Critically analyse behaviour by integrating phylogenetic and ontogenetic variables, and employing advanced understanding of the four-term contingency within the context of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
3) Assess in depth how behaviour-analytic concepts influence human behaviour, including, among others, positive and negative reinforcement and punishment, extinction, andmotivating operationsCritically reflect on the implications of the analysis of verbal behaviour and its profound impact on the overall repertoire of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including, among other considerations, rule-governed behaviour and emergent/derived relations.
4) Engage in advanced contingency analyses of human behaviour by employing the concepts and principles covered in the module and adeptly applying those to simple and complex behaviours focusing on individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
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