Principles Behavior Modification (PSY 333)
Illinois State University
Summer 2012
General Information
Instructor:
Gary L. Cates Ph.D.
Office:
443 DeGarmo Hall
Email:
garycates@ilstu.edu
Meetings:
T-TR 8:00-11:35
Office Phone: 438-3123
Office Hours: TR 12:00-1:00 & by appointment
Required Text
Martin, G. & Pear, J. (2011). Behavior Modification: What it is and How to Do it (9th edition). NJ: PrenticeHall.
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:
1. Define general principles of behavior.
2. Distinguish between the various principles of behavior.
3. Recognize a general principle in its simplest form when provided a scenario.
4. Design a simple behavior management plan.
5. Implement a simple behavior management plan.
6. Provide a small talk on the implementation of a behavior management plan.
7. Demonstrate a working knowledge of writing in APA style.
8. Talk about behavior more scientifically.
9. Think more critically about psychology in general.
10. 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 “significant” 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
“significant” 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 unrelated material, 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
1 paper
1 Presentation
Total:
=
=
=
=
300 points
50 points
50 points
400 points
A = 360-400
B = 320-359
GOOD LUCK!
C= 280-319
D = 240-279
Tentative Schedule of Events
DATE
TOPICS
ACTIVITIES
READINGS
June 12
Introductions, Syllabus,
Overview, and Positive
Reinforcement Negative
Reinforcement (escape)
Syllabus, Chapters 1, 2,
3, & 13
June 14
Punishment and
Intermittent Schedules of
Reinforcement & Punishment
Chapters 6 & 12
June 19
EXAM I
Research & Data Analysis
Functional Behavior Assessment
and Treatment Programs
Exam I First 50
minutes
Conditioned Reinforcement,
Extinction, & Differential
Consequences
Title Page Check
June 21
June 26
Exam II
Stimulus Discrimination, Stimulus
Generalization, Fading,
Prompting, & Situational
Inducement
June 28
Shaping & Chaining,
Respondent Conditioning
July 3
Exam III
Transfer and Maintenance
July 5
Rules& Human Species
July 10
Behavioral Programming, Token
Economies, Self-Control
Chapter 24, 25, & 26
July 12
Cognitive Behavior Modification,
Clinical Behavior Therapy,
History and Ethics and Careers in
ABA
Chapter 27 28, 29, & 30
July 17
Student Presentations
Entire Paper Due
July 19
Final Exam
Student Presentations
Final First 50
Minutes
Chapters 23; 20, 21, 22
Chapters 4, 5, & 7
Chapters 8, 9, 18
Reference Check
Chapters 10 & 11
Chapters 14 & 15
Chapters 16
Abstract Check
Chapter 17 & 19
Based on Above