| Semester 1, 2022 Online | |
| Units : | 1 |
| Faculty or Section : | Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences |
| School or Department : | School of Psychology and Wellbeing |
| Grading basis : | Graded |
| Course fee schedule : | /current-students/administration/fees/fee-schedules |
Staffing
Examiner:
Requisites
Pre-requisite: PSY1020
Overview
A clear understanding of the theory and application of behavioural models and techniques is considered essential to the study and practice of Psychology, forming an important component of the Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy model in common use throughout psychological practice. Knowledge of both classical and operant conditioning approaches to learning and behaviour change will enhance students' understanding of how psychological techniques are able, when used appropriately, to cause positive changes in behaviour.
This course aims to provide students with a comprehensive account of how humans learn through the application of behavioural techniques - the background knowledge behind some of the most useful and effective therapies in psychology. Topics include an examination of classical and operant conditioning, individual difference factors, social learning and self-regulation, in addition to a sound historical and theoretical background in learning and behaviour from Aristotle and Descartes, via Watson and Skinner, to Bandura and beyond.
The course also provides an opportunity to apply such knowledge and techniques to directly influence behaviour in a training (behaviour change) scenario. As such, the course consists of an initial 7 modules of content, assessed in a mid-semester online test, followed by a practical assignment where students will train a person in a specific skill, and report on their objectives, processes and outcome measurements in a final report at the end of semester. An initial proposal will be submitted early in semester for the approval of the Examiner and Moderator before any behaviour modification takes place.
Course learning outcomes
On successful completion of this course students should be able to demonstrate:
- An understanding of the history, background and applications of learning and behaviour theory, associated research methods and measurement
- An understanding of classical conditioning in theory and practice
- An understanding of operant conditioning in theory and practice
- Knowledge of self-regulatory, social and vicarious learning models and applications
- Ability to apply learning and behaviour theory and techniques in practice to change and evaluate behaviour
Topics
| Description | Weighting(%) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Introduction - History, Theory, Research Methods and Measurement | 10.00 |
| 2. | Applications - CBT, specific clinical populations, Applied Behavioural Analysis and behaviour management | 10.00 |
| 3. | Classical Conditioning Theory and Applications | 10.00 |
| 4. | Operant Conditioning Theory and Applications | 10.00 |
| 5. | Observational and Social Learning, Self-Regulation, Schema, Individual Differences, Biological Preparedness | 10.00 |
| 6. | Applying theory and technique to a unique training situation to cause a change in behaviour | 50.00 |
Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed
Student workload expectations
To do well in this subject, students are expected to commit approximately 10 hours per week including class contact hours, independent study, and all assessment tasks. If you are undertaking additional activities, which may include placements and residential schools, the weekly workload hours may vary.
Assessment details
| Description | Group Assessment |
Weighting (%) | Course learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Planning document | No | 10 | 1,2,3,4,5 |
| Report | No | 40 | 1,2,3,4,5 |
| Quiz | No | 50 | 1,2,3,4,5 |