Theory and Philosophy in Behavior Analysis

Catalog description

This course will present students with an introduction to the underlying theory and philosophy of behavior analysis as a science and practice. Topics that will be covered in this course include definitions of science, philosophical underpinnings of behavior analysis, the seven dimensions of behavior analysis, radical behaviorism, respondent versus operant conditioning, and the building blocks of basic behavioral theory. Students will read seminal texts and articles on these topics. Students will also learn about the application of applied behavior analysis (ABA) to individuals with various needs including autism, intellectual disabilities, and problem behavior, as well as the various settings in which ABA can be beneficial. Students participating in this course will have a 10-hour observational fieldwork requirement for the semester.