Special Topic: Learning & Behaviour Analysis

Description

What is the science of behaviour? Is such a science even possible? The topic of this course is behaviour of individual organisms. The major goal is to understand how behaviour depends on events in the environment – what are the basic principles that allow us to explain and predict behaviour? However, we also consider applications – how can we modify behaviour, or reduce the occurrence of maladaptive behaviour? We seek general principles that govern all behaviour, regardless of its type, placing rather less emphasis on the specific types of behaviour concerned (such as social behaviour, abnormal behaviour, etc). By the end of the course, you may expect to have a thorough grounding in the principles of learning and behaviour analysis, and to be well prepared for postgraduate courses in related areas. In addition, learning is an important aspect of individual functioning and an understanding of the principles involved is an important part of your education in Psychology whether or not you proceed to graduate study in these areas.
Lectures are intended to introduce topics and to provide the understanding that will facilitate your own reading and study in the area. The general approach taken in the course is to introduce some principles of behaviour change, consider some of the experimental studies which have investigated their properties, and where applicable, to examine their implications for dealing with human problems of living. Laboratory work will illustrate selected principles of behaviour management using animal subjects working in controlled environments, and is conducted to support the principles discussed in class. Students have generally found these laboratory classes very useful in helping them grasp the course material.