Metropolitan Community College
COURSE OUTLINE FORM
(Page 1 of 5)
Course Title: Behavior Modification and Principles of Learning
Course Prefix & No.:
LEC: LAB:
PSYC 2140
4.5
0
Credit Hours:
4.5
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course exposes students to the history and various theoretical approaches to the study of learning and behavior
modification. Students have opportunities to learn applied behavior modification techniques including observing and
recording behavior and formulating and writing behavioral objectives. This course includes an examination of motivation,
attitude formation, and cognitive intervention approaches. Reading assessment and college-level reading skills are
recommended for success in this course.
COURSE PREREQUISITE (S):
None
RATIONALE:
This will allow students to transfer this course to four-year institutions. The increased credit hour allocation will allow
instructors to more fully explore concepts in the textbook and other sources. A curriculum development project is underway
to create classroom audiovisual materials, learning activities, assignments, a workbook and optional web enhanced exercises
that will enable students to better understand and practice the elements of behavior modification, learning, motivation and
cognition presented in the course.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK (S) and/or MATERIALS:
TITLE:
Behavior Change in Human Services
AUTHOR:
Sundel
EDITION:
5th
COPYRIGHT: 2005
PUBLISHER: Sage Publications, Incorporated
ISBN:
780761988700
Attached course outline written by: H. Lynn Bradman
Date: 08/1999
Reviewed/Revised by: Jen Cohen, Joe Ociepka, and Ryan Newton
Date: 08/2012
Effective quarter of course outline: 12/WI
Date: 2012/Winter
Academic Dean:
Date: 09/2012
Jane Franklin
Course Objectives, Topical Unit Outlines, and Unit Objectives must be attached to this form.
AAO Revised 3-13-01
Metropolitan Community College
COURSE OUTLINE FORM
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TITLE Behavior Modification and Principles of Learning
PREFIX/NO: PSYC 2140
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
At the completion of this course, students will be able to:
1.
Summarize and evaluate the behavior modification approach.
2.
Employ the terminology of behavior modification.
3.
Describe the historical roots and development of behavior modification.
4.
Apply the basic principles and techniques of positive reinforcement extinction, shaping, fading, chaining, punishment,
negative reinforcement, and modeling.
5.
Differentiate among the major schedules of reinforcement.
6.
Distinguish between discrimination and generalization.
7.
Design a behavior modification program to overcome a behavioral handicap.
8.
Valuate the cognitive behavior modification perspective.
9.
Analyze the ethical issues in the use of behavior modification.
TOPICAL UNIT OUTLINE:
I.
Introduction to Behavior Modification
A. Define behavior
B. History of behavior modification
C. The behavior modification approach.
II.
Basic Principles and Techniques of Behavior Modification
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
K.
L.
Positive reinforcement
Extinction
Shaping
Schedules of reinforcement
Discrimination
Fading
Conditioned reinforcement
Chaining
Generalization
Punishment
Escape and avoidance conditioning
Respondent conditioning
III.
Modeling
IV.
Putting It All Together
A.
B.
Designing a program to overcome a behavioral handicap
Self-control
AAO Revised 3-13-01
Metropolitan Community College
COURSE OUTLINE FORM
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V.
Cognitive Behavior Modification
VI.
Ethical Issues
UNIT OBJECTIVES:
At the completion of the unit, the students should be able to:
I.
Introduction to Behavior Modification
A.
B.
C.
II.
Basic Principles and Techniques of Behavior Modification
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
K.
L.
M.
III.
Design a behavior modification program to overcome a behavioral deficit.
Design a behavior modification program to establish a desirable behavior.
Prepare a self-control program.
Cognitive Behavior Modification
A.
B.
C.
VI.
Describe the role of modeling in learning.
Use modeling to change a behavior.
Putting It All Together
A.
B.
C.
V.
Describe and use positive reinforcement.
Recognize the pitfalls of positive reinforcement.
Explain and employ extinction.
Express the pitfalls of extinction.
Explain and use the technique of shaping.
Discuss similarities and differences among the major schedules of reinforcement.
Compare and contrast stimulus discrimination and stimulus generalization
Illustrate fading.
Explain and apply the technique of chaining.
Recognize the dangers in the use of punishment.
Construct appropriate guidelines for the use of punishment.
Illustrate negative reinforcement.
Explain the terminology and the process of respondent conditioning.
Modeling
A.
B.
IV.
Define behavior.
Describe the historical development of behavior modification.
Explain the major characteristics of behavior modification.
Describe the historical development of cognitive behavior modification.
Compare and contrast the different cognitive behavior modification approaches.
Assess the strengths and weaknesses of rational-emotive therapy.
Ethical Issues
A.
B.
Discuss the ethical issues involved in the use of behavior modification.
Evaluate the major criticisms of the behavior modification approach.
AAO Revised 3-13-01
Metropolitan Community College
COURSE OUTLINE FORM
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COURSE REQUIREMENTS/EVALUATION
Upon completion of the objectives for this course the students will have moved from the knowledge through the
evaluation levels of cognition relative to the study of behavior modification. Also, students are required to successfully
complete tests and out-of-class assignments as specified by the instructor in the course syllabus. Evaluation will be based
on written work, exams, attendance and appropriate class participation.
AAO Revised 3-13-01
Metropolitan Community College
COURSE OUTLINE FORM
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BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION AND PRINCIPLES OF LEARNING—PSYC 2140
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1.
Summarize and evaluate the behavior
modification approach.
2.
Employ the terminology of behavior
modification.
3.
Describe the historical roots and development
of behavior modification.
4.
Apply the basic principles and techniques of
positive reinforcement extinction, shaping,
fading, chaining, punishment, negative
reinforcement, and modeling.
5.
Differentiate among the major schedules of
reinforcement.
6.
Distinguish between discrimination and
generalization.
7.
Design a behavior modification program to
overcome a behavioral handicap.
8.
Evaluate the cognitive behavior modification
perspective.
9.
Analyze the ethical issues in the use of
behavior modification.
ASSESSMENT MEASURES
Written assignment, plus class discussion and/or
journal entries, individual project, or case studies.
Writing assignments, plus correct usage in
discussion and written assignments.
Writing assignment, and Internet research with
report out.
Writing assignment, individual “laboratory” project
and class discussion.
Exam, plus class discussion and/or individual
project, case studies.
Writing assignment, plus class discussion and/or
individual project, case studies.
Out of class assignment with an individual
“laboratory” project.
Writing assignment, plus class discussion and/or
case studies.
Exam, plus class discussion, case studies, analysis of
own and classmate’s individual projects, and/or
demonstration of ethical behavior on individual
“laboratory” project.
AAO Revised 3-13-01