UGA Bulletin Logo

Philosophical Underpinnings and Concepts in Behavior Analysis


Course Description

Designed to give future behavior analysts a solid foundation in the underlying philosophical and basic concepts associated with human behavior and learning. In doing such, the course will sample literature from philosophy as well as from basic science.


Athena Title

Phil Concepts Behav Analysis


Prerequisite

EDSE 7230


Pre or Corequisite

(EDSE 7440 or EDSE 7440E or EDSE 7440S) and EDSE 7450


Semester Course Offered

Offered fall


Grading System

A - F (Traditional)


Course Objectives

The student will be able to: A. Philosophical Underpinnings A-1 Identify the goals of behavior analysis as a science (i.e., description, prediction, control). A-2 Explain the philosophical assumptions underlying the science of behavior analysis (e.g., selectionism, determinism, empiricism, parsimony, pragmatism). A-3 Describe and explain behavior from the perspective of radical behaviorism. A-4 Distinguish among behaviorism, the experimental analysis of behavior, applied behavior analysis, and professional practice guided by the science of behavior analysis. A-5 Describe and define the dimensions of applied behavior analysis (Baer, Wolf, & Risley, 1968).


Topical Outline

• Behaviorism and Science • Scientific Model of Behavior • Verbal Behavior and Rules • Values and Science • Designing Environments • Effects of Reinforcement • Matching Law • Aversive Control • Response Variability • Self-Control • Domains of Behavior Analysis • Walden 2 • Radical Behaviorism


Syllabus


Public CV