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Overview

This module will introduce students to the philosophical underpinnings of behaviour analysis and consider the field of behaviour analysis as a whole. We will discuss how the philosophical assumptions of the science underpin practice-specific applications of behaviour analysis. Students will have an in-depth understanding of different branches of behavioural science, verbal operants, and behaviour change procedures commonly used in practice. Consideration will be given to issues pertaining to generalisation and maintenance. There will be a focus on professionalism, supervising others and performance management.

The module will consider the philosophic underpinnings of behaviour analysis and the evidence base for practice specific applications.

The module will partially meet the requirements of the UKBA(cert) postgraduate curriculum. The full curriculum minimum meets the academic requirements for a student to apply to become a UKBA(cert). The module will include content from the following UKBA(cert) curriculum areas

The science of behaviour analysis (A.3 – A.6, A.9), Prompting and applications of reinforcement ( D.9, D.15 ), Teaching skills across the lifespan (D.10), Verbal behaviour, generalisation and maintenance (A.18, D.16, D.17), Discriminations and relational responding (D.11, D.12), and Management and professional conduct (E. 10, E.15 – E.17, E.19 – E.22) .

Assessment Strategy

You must achieve a threshold of 50% to pass this module. Please see below for guidance on what you must demonstrate in your work to achieve different levels of performance.

Excellent (A*, A+, A, A-) • Open minded and compassionate reflection on the ethical practice of behaviour analysis. All responses are consistent with the UK-SBA code of Ethical and Professional Conduct. • Comprehensive knowledge synthesised with applied understanding of behaviour analysis • Detailed understanding of theory with no factual errors • Critical analysis showing evaluation and synthesis of ideas • Novel and innovative originality in approach, interpretation, and voice • Extensive and comprehensive independent research • Logically defended arguments with evidence for all claims • Highly focused and well structured • Excellent presentation with accurate and appropriate expression • Correct format in appropriate referencing style

Good (B+, B, B-) • Honest and considered reflection resulting an ethical and compassionate practice of applied behaviour analysis • Strong knowledge alongside applied understanding of behaviour analysis • Clear understanding of theory and mostly free of factual errors • Some analysis showing critical evaluation and links between ideas • Novel originality in approach, interpretation, and voice • Considerable independent research from appropriate sources • Coherent arguments with evidence for most claims • Focused and well structured • Clear presentation with accurate and appropriate expression • Mostly correct format in appropriate referencing style

Threshold (C+, C, C-) • Honest reflection resulting in insight about the ethical practice of behaviour analysis. • Some knowledge of the practice of behaviour analysis. • Understanding the main theoretical concepts with no major factual errors • Basic analysis showing obvious points of evaluation and links between ideas • Some originality in approach, interpretation, and/or voice for part of the work • Some independent research from appropriate sources • Arguments presented with evidence for the most important claims • Readable structure showing focus at times • Acceptable presentation with appropriate expression • Attempt at correct format in appropriate referencing style with no major errors

If you do not meet the threshold, then your work will be graded as a Fail (less than 50%). Fail grades vary from Poor (D+, D, D-, E+, E, E-) to Very Poor (F).

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of respondent and operant conditioning.

• Demonstrate a critical awareness of the following concepts: behaviourism, the experimental analysis of behaviour, applied behaviour analysis, and professional practice guided by the science of behaviour analysis.

• Systematically explain a range of procedures to increase socially significant behaviours and promote generalisation and maintenance.

• Systematically explain how to implement approaches to the supervision and management of others that are in accordance with current scientific knowledge and practice in behaviour analysis.

• Use the scientific literature to guide the writing of behaviour change programmes at an organisational level.