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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 introduce topics to facilitate your own reading and study. The approach taken in the course is to introduce some principles of behaviour change, consider some of the experimental studies, and where applicable, to examine their implications for dealing with human problems of living. Laboratory work will illustrate selected principles of behaviour management from classwork using animal subjects working in controlled environments.
The objectives of the course are to: Explain core principles of behaviour analysis. Apply behavioural principles to analyse real world behaviour.Critically evaluate research in learning and behaviour. Acquire practical skills in gathering and evaluating behavioural data from animal subjects.
PSYC206
PSYC349
Students must attend one activity from each section.
John Bai
Blackman, D. E; Operant Conditioning ;
Fantino, E. & Logan, C; The Experimental Analysis of Behavior ;
Mazur, J. E; Learning and Behaviour ; 7th; Prentice Hall, 2013.
Nevin, J. & Reynolds, G; The Study of Behavior ;
There are no required textbooks for this course. The recommended textbooks are available from the library, including e-copies.The additional texts are rather old but are still excellent sources and provide complimentary approaches to the content covered in class. The one by Blackman contains a very good coverage of the basics in a very readable style. Mazur’s is the main text for the course; it is more informative and comprehensive, but at the same time a little more advanced for students not already familiar with the area. For introductory material, use Mazur in the first instance and go to Blackman if you are in difficulty.
Domestic fee $998.00
International fee $5,188.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing .