4B014E - Behavioural Insights into Child Development 01 Sep 2026 - 31 Aug 2032 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: 4B014E
Module Title: Behavioural Insights into Child Development
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Psychology and Therapeutic Interventions
Faculty Sub Group: Therapeutic Studies
Module Leader: Emily Groves, Victoria Markham
Module Team: Victoria Markham, Christopher Seel, Alexis Jones, Kirsty Richards
First Intended Intake: SEP 2026 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 30 Credit Level: 4
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 01 Sep 2026
Valid To 31 Aug 2032

Module Aims

1. To provide students with an introduction to principles of behavioural science and its application in understanding how children and young people learn from their environment.

2. To develop students’ understanding of observational recording methods and single-case experimental research designs to promote prosocial behaviour in children and young people.

3. To enable students to gain experience in an early childhood setting at the University of South Wales’ Early Intervention Service.

Content Summary

Are you curious about why children behave the way they do and how their environment shapes their learning and development? This challenge-based module introduces you to the core principles of behavioural science, with a focus on how these ideas apply to children and young people.

You’ll explore how behaviour is influenced by an individual's unique learning history and learn practical skills for defining and measuring behaviour using observational recording methods. You’ll also gain experience evaluating behavioural interventions for promoting prosocial behaviour using single-case experimental designs.

A highlight of this module is the opportunity to put theory into practice during a hands-on placement at our on-campus Early Intervention Service. Here, you'll work directly with children and professionals, applying your knowledge in real-world settings and gaining valuable experience that will set you apart in the world of work.

Ethical practice is woven throughout the module, encouraging you to critically evaluate the responsibilities and challenges involved in behavioural research and intervention with children. You’ll also begin to analyse current policies and practices through a behavioural lens, developing the critical thinking skills essential for advanced study and professional practice.

By the end of this module, you’ll have a solid grounding in applied behaviour analysis and be well-prepared to continue along the behavioural science pathway in your degree and beyond.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Scheduled Learning and Teaching 56
Guided Study 10.5
Summative Assessment 60
Independent self-directed learning 173.5
Total Hours Selected 116

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Describe how behavioural principles can be used to understand how children and young people learn and behave as a function of their unique learning history and environment.
LO2 Explain how research in learning and development can be applied in real-world settings and evaluated using single-case experimental research designs.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Synchronous Onsite Assessment Classroom Test - Time Constrained (Onsite) 1 Exam; Synchronous on-site assessment; Classroom test – time constrained (onsite) 90 N/A 50 No 40
Synchronous Onsite Assessment Classroom Test - Time Constrained (Onsite) 1 Exam; Synchronous on-site assessment; Classroom test – time constrained (onsite) 90 N/A 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Classroom Test - Time Constrained (Onsite) 1
Classroom Test - Time Constrained (Onsite) 1

Reading List

Week 1: Topic- Introduction to behaviour analysis UK Society for Behaviour Analysts (2024). Code of Ethical and Professional Conduct. Retrieved from: https://uk-sba.org/about-uk-sba/ethics/ Baer, D. M., Wolf, M. M., & Risley, T. R. (1968). Some current dimensions of applied behavior analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1, 91–97.

Week 2: Topic- Basic behavioural principles Martin, G., & Pear, J. (2024). Behavior modification: What it is and how to do it (12th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Week 3: Topic- Observing and recording behaviour Martin, G., & Pear, J. (2024). Behavior modification: What it is and how to do it (12th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Week 4: Topic- Introduction to research Miltenberger, R. G. (2023). Behavior modification: Principles and procedures (7th ed.). Cengage Learning

Week 5: Topic- Using experimental designs in research and practice Miltenberger, R. G. (2023). Behavior modification: Principles and procedures (7th ed.). Cengage Learning

Week 6: Topic- Social validity and treatment integrity Wolf, M. M. (1978). Social validity: the case for subjective measurement or how applied behavior analysis is finding its heart. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 11, 203–214.

Week 7: Topic- Assessment week