EAB3002: Principles of Behavior Analysis (Section 3621)

Transcription

1 EAB 3002 Fall 2013 EAB3002: Principles of Behavior Analysis (Section 3621) Class Times: Tues: 10:40 a.m. 11:30 a.m. (Pd. 4) Thurs: 10:40 a.m. 12:35 p.m. (Pd. 4 & 5) Class Venue: PSY130 Instructor: Lindsay R. Mehrkam, M.S. Office: PSY327 Office Hours: Mon p.m. & Wed 1-2 p.m. [email protected] TAs: Gorana Gonzalez Nicolle Michaels Cassandra Vazquez [email protected] Overview EAB 3002 is an introduction to the scientific study of learning, behavior, and the field of behavior analysis. The goals of this course are to 1) introduce you to the basic principles of behavior analysis and learning, 2) acquaint you with single-subject and (as contrasted with group-average) research designs, and 3) to present the study of behavior as a natural science, as contrasted with social science. We will cover a wide range of topics beginning with the history of behavior analysis and then moving on to an overview of the basic assumptions, principles, methods, and research that define the field today. We will discuss both theoretical and practical questions related to behavior analysis, and read scientific articles on these topics. Students will not only learn about behavior, but will have the opportunity to talk about and apply basic behavioral principles directly by the end of this course. Course Requirements In this class you will be expected to: 1). Attend every class prepared to discuss the reading. That is, attendance is mandatory. Attending lectures will improve your understanding of course material, help prepare you for exams, and allow you to earn points toward your grade. Reading assignments should be completed before the class period they appear next to on the course schedule, you will be asked to participate in discussions and answer questions based on this material in class. On any given day, attendance may be taken and in-class assignments, labs, or other graded activities are possible. Simply put, you will not do well in this course if you are not committed to coming to class regularly. 2). Take 3 in-class exams (there will be no cumulative final exam) 3). Complete in-class assignments, projects, mini-labs, and quizzes as they are given (see page 2). These may be either announced or unannounced, depending on the point value of each task. Mehrkam Page 1 Last updated: 8/30/2013

2 Texts EAB 3002 Fall 2013 The following texts are required for the course: Behavior Analysis & Learning ISBN: Authors: Pierce & Cheney Edition: 5th (2013) Publisher: Psychology Press Don't Shoot the Dog! ISBN: Author: Pryor Edition: Revised (1999) Publisher: Bantam Books Both texts have been ordered to the UF bookstore. New and used copies are also sold through online stores (e.g. Amazon.com). Other required materials: 1. A training notebook (an inexpensive spiral notebook will do) 2. A training clicker (you can obtain one for about $1 at Petsmart) Examinable material In addition to both the assigned textbook chapters and lecture material, assigned articles and key aspects of class discussions could appear on an exam. It is your responsibility to attend class to make sure you have the relevant material and are up to date on any changes made to the course schedule. Assessment 1). 3 in-class exams worth 50 points each (67% of final grade) 2). 12 quizzes worth 2 points each (11% of final grade) 3). Shaping project worth 50 points (22% of final grade). Details will be posted on Sakai 4). 10 in-class assignments worth 2 points each (applied as extra credit) Instructions for completing assignments and essays will be discussed in class. For out-of-class assignments basic instructions will also be posted on Sakai. Due dates are listed on the syllabus. Late assignments will not be accepted. If you are unable to attend an exam or a class (especially in which a quiz or in-class assignment was given) for a reason beyond your control 1 you will need to make contact with me before or within 24 hours of the missed exam/class by ing me at [email protected] so I may see documentary evidence for your incapacity (this is usually a note from your physician or the dean of your college). If appropriate, we will then arrange a makeup test or assignment. You do not need to contact me for a missed lecture, but it is your responsibility to obtain the notes or material from classes you miss. This is true even if your absence is excused. 1 It is beyond your control if you are sick, have an accident, or a member of your family is taken seriously ill and you have to rush home. It is not beyond your control if you oversleep, forget, or just have something more attractive to do. Students representing the university in sporting or cultural events may also request permission to makeup an exam or assignment if the event clashes with a regularly assigned date (requires week advanced notice and documentation from event s coach or director on appropriate letterhead). Mehrkam Page 2 Last updated: 8/30/2013

3 EAB 3002 Fall 2013 Grading I will calculate your grades by taking the total number of points you earned, divided by the total number of points possible (224), and multiplying by 100. The resulting percentage will be your numerical grade (left column) and will be assigned the corresponding letter grade (right column): Percentiles Grade 92.5 or above A A B B B C C C D D D or below E (Fail) The good news is that these grades are firm everybody in the class can get an A (and I hope you do)! The bad news is that these grades are firm if you score just one point below the cutoff then you will get the lower grade. It is your responsibility to check your grades on Sakai often (logging on to Sakai at least twice a week will allow you to keep up with your grades and class announcements and is strongly recommended). If you believe an error has been made or if you are missing a score for an assignment, test, or participation day once grades have been posted, let me know of the situation by as soon as possible (within a week). Requests to review grades for assignments posted prior to the most recent exam may not be granted. Students with Special Needs Students requesting classroom or testing accommodation must first register with the Dean of Students Office ( The Dean of Students Office will provide documentation to the student who must then provide this documentation to me when requesting accommodation. If these instructions are followed, I am very willing to honor any requests. Honor Code I am not willing to give a passing grade to those do not abide by the UF honor code. Any student who cheats or helps another student cheat will receive an E (Fail) for the course. This includes plagiarism. You cannot use another s material word-for-word or reuse another s ideas in any written assignment without specifically acknowledging that you are quoting or referencing the work of a specific author. Excessive quotes are typically considered inappropriate and could result in point loss (so put the knowledge you gain into your own words when possible). An important rule of thumb: If you got an idea from a source, even if you use your own wording, you still need to reference the source. Mehrkam Page 3 Last updated: 8/30/2013

4 EAB 3002 Fall 2013 COURSE SCHEDULE (last updated August 26, 2013) ** Date Topic Reading Thurs 8/22 Welcome to EAB 3002 Bring syllabus (printed or on computer) to class Tues 8/27 Thurs 8/29 Tues 9/3 History, Background & Assumptions of a Science of Behavior Three levels of selection: Biology, Behavior, and Culture The Experimental Analysis of Behavior & Single-Subject Research P & C (Pierce & Cheney) Ch. 1 (pp. 1-25) P & C Ch. 14 (pp ) Sakai: Selection by Consequences (Skinner, 1960) P & C Ch. 2 (pp ) Sakai: Single-subject research in zoos (Saudargras & Dummer, 1996) Thurs 9/5 Tues 9/10 Thurs 9/12 Reflexive Behavior and Respondent Conditioning Reflexive Behavior and Respondent Conditioning: (Guest Lecture by Nathan Hall) Reinforcement and Extinction of Operant (Purposive) Behavior; Exam 1 Review (5 th period) P & C Ch. 3 Sakai: Imprinting article (Peterson, 1960) P & C Ch. 3 (Skim) Lecture: P & C 4 Review: Covers P&C 1-3 & 14, assigned articles, and lecture notes Tues 9/17 Exam 1 Covers P&C 1-3, assigned articles, and lecture notes Thurs 9/19 Operant Behavior & Schedules of Reinforcement P&C Ch. 4 (Skim) & Ch. 5 Tues 9/24 Schedules of Reinforcement (continued) P & C Ch. 5 Thurs 9/26 Schedules of Reinforcement (Guest Lecture by: Vanessa Minervini) P & C Ch. 9 (Matching law P ) Tues 10/1 Conditioning Lab **Bring Training Clicker & Notebook to class** DSTD (Don t Shoot the Dog) Read: Forward-P. 26 Thurs 10/3 Stimulus Control: Basics P&C: Ch. 8 (p ) Mehrkam Page 4 Last updated: 8/30/2013

5 Tues 10/8 EAB 3002 Fall 2013 Stimulus Control (cont.): Generalization & Errorless Discrimination P&C: Ch. 8 (p ) Thurs 10/10 Choice & Preference P&C Ch. 9 Conditioning Assignment: Shaping Plan Due in Class (Bring 2 hard copies, stapled together) Tues 10/15 Choice & Preference (cont.) & Exam 2 Review P & C Chapters 4, 5, 8 & 9 Thurs 10/17 Exam 2 (No regularly scheduled office hours today. Come Monday or By Appointment) Tues 10/22 Thurs 10/24 Conditioning Assignment Workshop (In-Class) Conditioning Assignment Workshop (Out of Class) TAs will be present in class to help advise students No Class Tues 10/29 Thurs 10/31 Tues 11/5 Aversive Control Shaping plans returned P & C Ch. 6 Aversive Control & Alternatives (Extinction, Differential Reinforcement) DSTD Read: Ch. 4 Operant-Respondent Interrelationships & Biological Context P & C Ch. 7 Thurs 11/7 Conditioned Reinforcement P & C Ch. 10 Tues 11/12 Effects of Nicotine on Operant Responding for Alcohol (Guest Lecture by Philip Erb) Assigned Articles (can be found on Sakai under Resources) Thurs 11/14 Complex and Rule-Governed Behavior P & C Ch. 11 Tues 11/19 Verbal Behavior P & C Ch. 12 Thurs 11/21 Applied Behavior Analysis P &C Ch. 13 Mehrkam Page 5 Last updated: 8/30/2013

6 Tues 11/26 EXAM 3 Review EAB 3002 Fall 2013 P&C: Chapters 6, 7, Shaping Assignment: Essay & Revised Shaping Plan Due (see instructions on Sakai) Thurs 11/28 Tues 12/3 EXAM 3 No Class (Happy Thanksgiving!) P&C: Chapters 6, 7, Mehrkam Page 6 Last updated: 8/30/2013