At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- 1. Explain fundamental procedures, principles, and theories in classical conditioning.
- 2. Explain fundamental procedures, principles, and theories in operant conditioning.
- 3. Apply theories of choice behavior to real world contingencies.
- 4. Describe the phenomena involved in stimulus control, including generalization and
discrimination learning. - 5. Apply behavioral theory to modify target behaviors.
- 6. Evaluate ethical considerations in behavioral modification.
- 7. Evaluate research methods as applied to human and animal learning and behavior.
Unit 1. Introduction to behavioral psychology
A. History of the field/Main schools in Behaviorism
B. Research methods
Unit 2. Classical Conditioning
A. Fundamental concepts (respondent conditioning, habituation, sensitization, extinction)
B. Classic studies (Pavlov, Watson)
C. Practical applications
Unit 3. Operant Conditioning
A. Fundamental concepts (antecedents, consequences, contingencies, schedules of reinforcement, shaping, extinction, stimulus control, concurrent schedules)
B. Classic Studies (Thorndike, Skinner, Hernnstein)
C. Practical applications
Unit 4. Observational Learning
A. Fundamental concepts (imitation, social learning)
B. Class studies (Bandura)
C. Practical applications
Unit 5. Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis
A. Practical applications
B. Basic principles
C. Ethical considerations