Overview

We will cover some of the fundamental conceptual and philosophical aspects of the study of complex human behaviour that have informed all applied uses of the science of behaviour change. Topics will include how the understanding of behavioural principles is essential to understanding all aspects of ‘what we humans do’. Over the last five decades, behaviour analysts have developed therapeutic approaches and interventions to helping people across a wide range of clinical issues that will be discussed on this module: child development and behaviour problems, people with brain injury, people with dementia, the assessment and treatment of challenging and self-injurious behaviour, applied animal husbandry and the care of exotic animals, forensic behaviour analysis, and best practice in treatment for children with learning disabilities and autism.

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate a broad knowledge of the areas where the science of behaviour change has been applied across clinical, educational, and everyday settings.

• Demonstrate an informed understanding and appreciation of the theoretical foundation and applied procedures developed by behaviour analysts as one of the helping professions.

• Demonstrate detailed knowledge of how behaviour analysts employ scientifically-derived principles of learning to improve the quality of life of people and animals.

• Identify, critically appraise, and explain the significance of, published works of relevance to the conceptual, experimental, or applied analysis of behaviour.