Introduction to Applied Behavioral Analysis   [Archived Catalog]
2010-2011 Academic Catalog and Student Handbook with Addendum
   

EBC 400 - Introduction to Applied Behavioral Analysis


Behavior analysis is a natural science approach to studying behavior, wherein behavior is a legitimate subject matter in its own right, and is not the result of processes occurring within the individual. This course instructs students in the basic principles of operant and respondent conditioning, selection by consequences, and the research literature upon which they were derived. It is important for students to understand and be fluent in basic behavioral principles so that they understand the philosophical and empirical underpinnings of the interventions they apply. Furthermore, when an intervention is unsuccessful, they can use them to understand why, and draw upon them to make appropriate modifications. Topics covered in this course include defining behavior, reinforcement, punishment, extinction, stimulus control, measuring behavior, establishing desired behaviors, Functional Behavior Assessment, and decreasing problem behavior. (3 credits)