PSYC 0664 - Experimental Analysis of Behavior

Credits: 3

This course focuses on research findings and basic principles in the experimental analysis of behavior (EAB). The experimental analysis of behavior is a sub-discipline within behavior analysis, and involves exploring general principles of behavior, as well as isolating environmental determinants of behavior. Because it is so important to rule out extraneous sources of control, EAB experiments are typically conducted under rigorous and controlled laboratory environments and often involve nonhuman animals because their experiences can be completely controlled (unlike with humans). Some of the most prominent themes in EAB respondent and operant conditioning, stimulus control, reinforcement and punishment, schedules of reinforcement, choice, mathematical models, and behavioral momentum, among others. It is critical to understand EAB and applied behavior analysis are related to one another and inform each other. Many of the basic principles discovered via basic laboratory preparations have proven to be widely successful in applied settings. Likewise, many of the variables studied in laboratory settings are inspired by real world problems. Thus, the two sub-disciplines are inevitably connected.

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