PL4S135 - Philosophy of Behaviourism 22 Feb 2019 - 31 Aug 2027 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: PL4S135
Module Title: Philosophy of Behaviourism
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Psychology
Faculty Sub Group: Youth and Community
Module Leader: Richard May
Module Team: Aimee Giles, Emily Groves, Kirsty Richards, Victoria Markham
First Intended Intake: SEP 2019 Final Year of Intake: 2024
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100497 - psychology
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 22 Feb 2019
Valid To 31 Aug 2027

Module Aims

To develop a critically appreciation of the philosophy underpinning the science of behaviour analysis.

Content Summary

This module will help students develop an understanding of the philosophy of radical behaviourism and how this philosophy informs applications of behavioural science to research and practice. Students will learn about the goals of behavioural science, the dimensions of applied behaviour analysis, and the distinctions among different branches of behavioural science (i.e., experimental analysis of behaviour, applied behaviour analysis).

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 16
Seminar 29
Independent Study 111
Directed Study 40
Formative Assessment - Scheduled 4
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Critically analyse how the core components of the philosophy of behaviourism inform the science and practice of behaviour analysis
LO2 Provide a sophisticated critical articulation of how the different branches of behavioural science contribute to our understanding of behaviour

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Portfolio 1 Collection of short reflections on philosophical issues arising from assigned readings 0 3000 50 No 50
Asynchronous Assessment Essay 1 Essay critically analysing the role of philosophy in informing the application of behavioural science 0 3000 50 No 50

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Portfolio 1
Essay 1

Reading List

Chiesa, M. (1994). Radical behaviourism: The philosophy and the science. Authors Cooperative.

Johnston, J. M. (2014). Radical behaviourism for ABA practitioners. Sloan Publishing.

Skinner, B. F (1971). Beyond freedom and dignity. New York: Bantam Books.

Skinner, B. F. (1948). Walden Two. New York: Hackett.