Course Description
Survey of scientific theories and research on learning and motivation according to classic theorists and contemporary behavioral psychologists. Topics include reinforcement, punishment, stimulus control, and examples from the real world. Prerequisite: Grade of at least a C- in PSY 121.
Syllabus
Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:
Students successfully completing this course will be able to:
- Describe the four contingencies of operant conditioning.
- Explain the principles of classical conditioning.
- Apply the mechanisms of behavior change to real world human and animal examples.
- Construct a behavior modification plan using the principles of stimulus control and functional analysis.
Course Grading Information:
| Activity/Performance Measure | Percentage/Points |
|---|---|
| Chapter Quizzes | 20% |
| Assignments/Short Papers | 20% |
| Discussion Forums | 20% |
| Tests | 30% |
| In-Class Attendance Items | 10% |
Grading Scale:
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 93.0-100% | A |
| 90.0-92.9% | A- |
| 87.0-89.9% | B+ |
| 83.0-86.9% | B |
| 80.0-82.9% | B- |
| 77.0-79.9% | C+ |
| 73.0-76.9% | C |
| 70.0-72.9% | C- |
| 67.0-69.9% | D+ |
| 63.0-66.9% | D |
| 60.0-62.9% | D- |
| < 60.0% | F |
Attendance/Participation:
Attendance is graded via In-Class Attendance items. At the end of each class, I will administer an in-class attendance item. These will most often be a short paper with analysis and will require that you attend until the completion of class. They are worth 10% of your final grade.
Course Materials Purchased by the Students:
Miltenberger, R. G. (2024). Behavior Modification: Principles and Procedures (7th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning. ISBN-13: 9780357796436
Scholarly Perspectives
This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.