BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION

Summer A 2001

Tue/Thr

EAB 4703

Dr. Iversen

Bldg 39: 4067a

I. Course Material:

Behavior Modification: What it is and how to do it. G. Martin and J. Pear. Sixth Edition, 1999. Prentice Hall.

II. Purpose of the Course.

You will learn the fundamental laws of behavior change as applied to human problems. You will become familiar with terminology and basic principles of operant conditioning. You will also learn about research design and data analysis. Contemporary psychology is moving towards a stronger emphasis on science. Therefore, it is important for you to learn how scientific principles can be used to understand and change human behavior, pathological as well normal. You will also learn how these principles can be used by you to improve your own life conditions, your own behavior.

III. Goal.

By the end of the semester you should expect to know 1) the basic principles of behavior modification, 2) how research on behavior change is carried out, 3) how behavior is measured and analyzed in graphs, 4) important terminology, and 5) hopefully you may have conquered one of your bad habits. Finally, you will learn what the scientific approach to behavior analysis can offer psychologists who deal with maladaptive or unfortunate behavior.

IV. Course Requirements:

1) Literature Summaries. Provide four typed summaries, each 1 page long, of relevant research from a scientific journal. The instructor provides the topics. Deadlines for literature summaries appear below.

2) Video assignment. In the library several videos on Behavior Modification are placed under reserve for this class. You must watch the videos in the library because they cannot be checked out. From a list supplied by the instructor you select two videos you want to study. When you have seen a video you will be given a small multiple-choice test on the next exam. You can earn up to 10 points for each video that you see. Video quizzes must be taken on the first four exams. Bring a separate scantron sheet for the video exam.

3) Behavior Study. Based on guidelines provided by the instructor, you should conduct a study of some aspect of your own behavior that you think could be modified. The behavior study is completed by submission of a 3-4 page description of your procedure and your results and some illustrative material showing the data you obtained. More information on this topic will be given later. You can expect to spend about 20-30 min for each of 30 days on this project. Projects are graded on a 30-point scale.

4) Exams. Five exams will allow you to show what you have learned from the book and from lectures. Exams consist of multiple-choice questions. Each exam earns you up to 40 points. If you miss an exam, you will have an opportunity to take a make-up exam. There is one make-up exam for Exams 1 and 2, which is scheduled the same day as Exam 3, and there is one make-up exam for Exams 3 and 4, which is scheduled the same day as Exam 5. The make-up exams are combinations of the two previous exams. For example, if you miss Exam 2 you can take the make-up exam for Exam 1 and 2; hence you must study for both even if you already took Exam 1. There are no other options to take an exam. A student who wants to take a make-up exam must inform the instructor about it at least one class period prior to the exam.

5) Extra Credit. If you present for the class a summary of an article selected from a list provided by the instruction you can earn up to 10 points as extra credit. Presentations should last about 10 minutes. Class presentations must be given on the day they are scheduled. Presentations are given on specific dates during the semester to supplement material in the book. Therefore, they are not meant to be given at the very end of the semester as a way to earn extra credit to compensate for a poor exam.

V. Grading:

Final grade is based on the following points:

1: Four Literature Summaries, 5 pt each 20

2: One Behavior Study, up to 30 pt 30

3: Two videos, up to 10 pt each 20

4: Five Exams, up to 40 pt each 200

A total of 270 points can be earned. Grades are calculated based on the following criteria:

A: 270-240

B: 239-210

C: 209-170

D: 169-135

F: 134-0

Notice that with this point system, each and every student in the class can in fact earn an A. There is no grading on a curve.

VI. Course Plan

Thr 10 Syllabus

Introduction and Chap 1 + 2

Areas of application

Positive Reinforcement Chap 3

Tue 15 Positive Reinforcement continued

Extinguish Behavior Chap 4

Develop New Behavior Chap 5

Thr 17 EXAM 1 (Chaps 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5)

Lit Summary 1 Due

Self Control Chap 24

Doing Research Chap 21

Begin Behavior Study

Tue 22 Behavioral Assessment Chap 18

Behavioral Assessment Chap 19

Thr 24 EXAM 2 (Chaps 18, 19, 21, & 24)

Behavioral Persistence Chap 6

Suppressing Behavior with Chap 13

Punishment Methods

Suppressing Behavior with Chap 7

Positive Reinforcement

Tue 29 Lit Summary 3 Due

Suppressing Behavior continued

Good use of Escape and Avoidance Chap 14

Thr 31 EXAM 3 (Chaps 6, 7, 13, & 14)

Lit Summary 4 Due

Stimulus Learning Chap 8

Tue 5 Stimulus Fading Chap 9

Conditioned Reinforcement, Chaps 10 + 11

Chaining and Tokens Chap 23

Thr 7 Generality of Behavior Change Chap 12

Tue 12 Assessing Causes of Behavior Chap 20

Various Therapies Chap 25

Thr 14 Various Therapies Continued Chaps 26 + 27

Ethical Issues Chap 29

Report on Behavior Study Due

Tue 19 EXAM 5 (Chaps 20, 25, 26, 27, & 29)