Course Syllabus
Athabasca University
Psychology (PSYC) 387
Learning
Revision 3 closed July 4, 2007, replaced by current version.
Delivery mode: Individualized study or grouped study. Online-enhanced.
Credits: 3 - Social Science
Prerequisite: PSYC 289 or professor approval.
Centre: Centre for Psychology
PSYC 387 has a Challenge for Credit option.
Course website
Overview
PSYC 387 introduces students to the principles of learning and how those principles can be used to modify human behaviour. The course emphasizes the application of learning theories and principles to solve behavioural problems as they exist in oneself; one's family; schools; the workplace; and in larger social, economic, and political groups.
Topics include reinforcement, extinction, punishment, schedules of reinforcement, stimulus discrimination, prompting and fading, stimulus-response chaining, generalization, modelling, rule-governed behaviour, problem-solving, cognitive therapy, feedback, Pavlovian conditioning, concept learning, general case instruction, and stimulus equivalence.
Outline
Unit 1: Introduction
Unit 2: Decreasing Responding
Unit 3: Escape, Avoidance, Shaping, and Schedules of Reinforcement
Unit 4: Stimulus Discrimination
Unit 5: Generalization and Modelling
Unit 6: Rule-governed Behaviour and Feedback
Unit 7: Pavlovian Conditioning and Response Classes
Evaluation
To receive credit for PSYC 387, you must achieve a mark of at least 50 per cent on the examination and obtain a course composite grade of at least “D” (50 per cent). The weighting of assignments is as follows:
| Seven Quizzes electronic or written | Final Exam | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 35% | 65% | 100% |
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.
Course Materials
Textbook
Grant, L., & A. N. Evans. 1994. Principles of Behavior Analysis. New York: HarperCollins.
Other materials
The course materials include a student manual, a study guide, and a quiz package.