EDF5683 - Philosophical foundations of behaviour analysis

Overview

Applied behaviour analysis is a science devoted to the understanding and improvement of human behaviour. To be skilled in the design and delivery of behaviour analytic interventions, one must first have a strong understanding of the philosophy of the science. In this unit, we will explore radical behaviourism as the philosophy underlying the science of applied behaviour analysis. We will review the goals and assumptions of science, the philosophical assumptions underpinning the science of behaviour analysis, compare and contrast radical behaviourism and other theories of learning and behaviour, and describe learning and behaviour from the perspective of a radical behaviourist. This unit aligns primarily with Section 1A of the BACBs 5th Edition Task List.

Offerings

S1-01-CLAYTON-BLENDED

Requisites

Prohibition

Rules

Enrolment Rule

Contacts

Chief Examiner(s)

Dr Russ Fox

Unit Coordinator(s)

Dr Russ Fox

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you should be able to:

identify the goals of behaviour analysis as a science (i.e., description, prediction, control)

explain the philosophical assumptions underlying the science of behaviour analysis (e.g., selectionism, determinism, empiricism, parsimony, pragmatism)

explain behaviour (including private events) in accordance with the philosophical assumptions of radical behaviourism

distinguish among behaviourism, the experimental analysis of behaviour, applied behaviour analysis, and professional practice guided by the science of behaviour analysis

describe and define the dimensions of applied behaviour analysis

Teaching approach

Active learning

Assessment summary

Assessment

1 - Multi-choice tests (1600 words or equivalent)

2 - Applied case study (2400 words or equivalent)

3 - Directed online learning activities

Scheduled and non-scheduled teaching activities

Tutorials

Workload requirements

Workload

The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per teaching period comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study.

Usually, you can expect to engage with:

• 12 hours of scheduled learning delivered on campus via weekly/regular directed learning activities, plus 33 hours of scheduled learning delivered online via a combination of synchronous and asynchronous directed learning activities and the remaining hours to be allocated towards self-directed/independent study
OR
• 45 hours of scheduled learning delivered online via a combination of synchronous and asynchronous directed learning activities and the remaining hours to be allocated towards self-directed/independent study^

^ International students studying in Australia are not permitted to undertake this scheduled learning delivery mode.

Scheduled learning activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

Learning resources

Recommended resources