Principles Behavior Modification (PSY 333)
Illinois State University
Summer 2011
General Information
Instructor: Gary L. Cates Ph.D. Meetings: MW 11:00-2:35
Office: 443 DeGarmo Hall Office Phone: 438-3123
Email: Office Hours: W 10:00-11:00 & by appointment
Required Text
Martin, G. & Pear, J. (2011). Behavior Modification: What it is and How to Do it (9th edition). NJ: Prentice-
Hall.
Course Description
This course will examine the basic concepts of human operant conditioning. This course will emphasize applied research and techniques of behavior management applicable to a wide variety of problems and settings. We will approach issues from an applied scientific standpoint, examining empirical research designed to understand, predict, and modify human behavior. Important note: This is a 6 week summer course. That means we will be progressing at a little more than one weeks of standard semesters lecture each day. It is important to keep up with course requirements accordingly.
Objectives
Upon satisfactory completion of this course students will be able to:
- Define general principles of behavior.
- Distinguish between the various principles of behavior.
- Recognize a general principle in its simplest form when provided a scenario.
- Design a simple behavior management plan.
- Implement a simple behavior management plan.
- Provide a small talk on the implementation of a behavior management plan.
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of writing in APA style.
- Talk about behavior more scientifically.
- Think more critically about psychology in general.
- Understand psychology of human behavior better than what they did when they came in.
Exams (300 points total)
There will be 4 comprehensive examinations worth 100 points each. Each examination will cover material presented from the textbook and lecture. Exam 4 is the final exam. The final exam is required (i.e. cannot be dropped) and will be taken as scheduled by all students. Exams will consist of about 30 multiple-choice questions worth 2 points each and 4 to 5 short answer questions worth 8 to 10 points each (40 points total). The lowest score of the first three exams will be dropped for each student.
Exam Make-up Policy: Makeup’s are not permitted. If an exam is missed it will count as your drop grade. If an unforeseeable circumstance precludes you from taking an exam special accommodations may be made at the discretion of the instructor and with documentation of the “unforeseeable circumstance”.
Behavior Management Project (50 Points-total)
An instructor approved behavior management project is required. This project has three components, each with its own purpose.
1. Provide students the opportunity to implement behavioral principles and assess their effects. Students will select a behavior to modify, implement behavior management procedures aimed at modifying the chosen behavior, and collect data to evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented procedure(s). This project must be approved by your instructor
2. Practice writing in APA style. The paper should be written in the latest APA style and include the following: title page, abstract, body, and references (minimum of 5). Students will be able to turn in sections of their paper for feedback. These section deadlines are not mandatory, but will drastically increase grades if adhered to. Sections can be turned in prior to the due dates but not after. No feedback will be provided for sections turned in after a due date. (50 points)
3. Provide a platform for required student presentations. Students will present their project orally with visual aids (e.g., graphs, video, overheads etc; 50 points)
Students may work with classmates on this project providing their projects are similar enough to warrant such collaboration. Each student should also have collected data on their own participant’s behavior. However, students are advised that both students will earn the same grade regardless of differential effort. Students wishing to work together should consult with the instructor prior to the project.
Extra Credit Assignments
There are two potential ways to earn extra credit. First, you can participate in research conducted by faculty and/or students who have come specifically to our class to solicit your participation. Second, 10 points of extra credit will be awarded to anyone who can document with empirical data that they have changed their own personal life in a “positive” and “substantial” way utilizing behavioral principles learned in this course. This must be shared publically and voted on by your classmates as to whether the change constitutes “positive” and “substantial” impact within a six week period.
Attendance Policy
This course does not penalize students directly for missing class. It should be pointed out however, that there are substantial data (including data I have collected on this course in the past) to suggest that student performance is strongly associated with attendance. If you miss a class it is your responsibility to catch up. Students are expected to participate in class discussions.
Academic Misconduct
Cheating, plagiarism, copying, stealing, etc. will not be tolerated. You are responsible for consulting a dictionary and thesaurus for the definition and synonyms of these terms. If any of these situations should arise an F will be awarded for the course grade and all other avenues of punishment via the university will be vigorously pursued.
Other Policies: Cell phone use is prohibited. Turn them off prior to class. Computers are welcome providing you are using them only for this course during course time and they are not disruptive to the academic environment. Any unauthorized use of your laptop (checking email, browsing, chatting, etc.) outside of course note taking/interaction is prohibited. You can do whatever you like during course break time.
Students with disabilities
Any student needing to arrange a reasonable accommodation for a documented disability should contact Disability Concerns at 350 Fell Hall, 438-5853 (voice), 438-8620 (TDD).
Grading Procedure
4 Exams = 300 points A = 360-400 C= 280-319
1 paper = 50 points B = 320-359 D = 240-279
1 Presentation = 50 points
Total: = 400 points
GOOD LUCK!
Tentative Schedule of Events
DATE / TOPICS / ACTIVITIES / READINGSMay 16 / Introductions, Syllabus, Overview, and Positive Reinforcement Negative Reinforcement (escape) / Syllabus, Chapters 1, 2, 3, & 13
May 18 / Punishment and
Intermittent Schedules of Reinforcement & Punishment / Chapters 6 & 12
May 23 / EXAM I
Research & Data Analysis
Functional Behavior Assessment and Treatment Programs / Exam I First 50 minutes / Chapters 23; 20, 21, 22
May 25 / Conditioned Reinforcement,
Extinction, & Differential
Consequences / Title Page Check / Chapters 4, 5, & 7
May 30 (No Class; Exam will be pushed back to June 1). / Exam II
Stimulus Discrimination, Stimulus Generalization, Fading, Prompting, & Situational Inducement / Chapters 8, 9, 18
June 1 / Shaping & Chaining,
Respondent Conditioning / Reference Check / Chapters 10 & 11
Chapters 14 & 15
June 6 / Exam III
Transfer and Maintenance / / Chapters 16
June 8 / Rules& Human Species / Abstract Check / Chapter 17 & 19
June 13 / Behavioral Programming, Token Economies, Self-Control / Chapter 24, 25, & 26
June 15 / Cognitive Behavior Modification, Clinical Behavior Therapy, History and Ethics and Careers in ABA / Chapter 27 28, 29, & 30
June 20 / Student Presentations /
Entire Paper Due
June 22 / Final ExamStudent Presentations / Final First 50 Minutes / Based on Above