Experimental and clinical behavior analysis (PSYB17-128)

Special Course in Applied Psychology – Experimental and clinical behavioral analysis: from its origins in learning theories to modern applications (PSYB17-128) 

Mondays from 16h to 17h30 at room 8, in IZU. 

The course is led by Andrei Morales (contato.andreimorales@gmail.com)

The aim of the course:  

The aim of this course is to provide students with theoretical and practical aspects of Behavioral Psychology and its modern applications in different contexts such as education, counseling, therapy, human resources and so on. During the course, we will have a brief view of the history of behavioral psychology from its origins in the learning theories and experimental behavior analysis until the modern applications in the contextual behavioral sciences from a practical perspective. Through an active teaching method, using gamified strategies, we will learn the main elements from behavior analysis and how it can be applied in professional life.  

Learning outcomes, competencies 

knowledge: 

• Students will be familiar with the main behavioral theories  

• Students will have knowledge about practical aspects of behavioral analysis and its application in different contexts 

attitude:  

• Students will show ethically correct attitude in choosing measurement techniques and research methodologies in behavioral psychology 

• Students will be opened to learn about the most practical aspects of experimental and clinical behavioral analysis  

skills:  

• Students will be able to identify the core elements of the functional analysis 

• Students will be able to apply basic concepts of behavioral interventions  

Topics of the course 

• A brief overview of the history of behaviorism  

• Basis of experimental behavior analysis  

• Classical behaviorist studies  

• Classical and operant conditioning  

• Learning through consequences  

• Reinforcement schemes  

• Functional analysis  

• Current application of behaviorism: behavioral medicine, behavioral economics, applied behavior analysis, contextual behavioral sciences  

Learning requirements, mode of evaluation, criteria of evaluation: 

Requirements 

• Participation, involvement, proactivity and group presentation on a behavioral psychology topic;  

criteria of evaluation:  

• active participation 

• quality of presentation  

Compulsory and recommended reading list 

Baum, W. M. (2004). Understanding behaviorism: Behavior, culture, and evolution (2nd ed.). Blackwell Publishing. 

Hergenhahn, B. R. (2000). An introduction to the history of psychology (4th ed.). Wadsworth/Thomson Learning 

Skinner, B. F. (1965). Science and human behavior. Free Press.