The course is designed to acquaint the student with the general theory of behavior, develop skills in self-analysis, present concrete information on how to achieve personal goals and provide hands on experience planning and implementing a behavior change project. The course will further cover application of the behavioral facilitation principles in groups and their use in social marketing.
Course materials are presented using a portable computer and digital projector. In addition, the course will be provided using Blackboard, interactive software available to registered students through the University Network. Blackboard provides the opportunity to open and print all course materials, follow general and threaded discussions with other students and the instructor, submit required course materials and work in a “virtual” environment, in addition to the traditional classroom and laboratory setting. Students must submit the email address at which they will be communicating during class. Logins will be assigned as first initial last name. Example: Bill Jones Login: bjones
1. Describe adjustment and self-direction. 2. Describe a general theory of behavior based on antecedents and consequences. 3. Describe a process of self-modification based on this theory of behavior. 4. Describe a process for specifying behavioral goals. 5. Describe a means of anticipating and overcoming obstacles and improving self-efficacy regarding your target behavior. 6. Develop and demonstrate a personal means of record keeping regarding your behavior. 7. Describe regulation theory and apply it to the behavioral model. 8. Describe learning through modeling. 9. Describe the identification of antecedents, their modification and the development of new antecedents. 10. Describe a process for substituting new behaviors for old ones. 11. Describe the use of relaxation as a substitute behavior for stress. 12. Describe the use of shaping to modify behavior. 13. Describe the concept of reinforcement and the use of self-reinforcement. 14. Identify your own behavioral reinforcers. 15. Describe the organization of an effective behavioral change plan. 16. Describe methods for problem solving regarding your behavioral change plan. 17. Describe the means for prevention of relapse into the undesired behavior. 18. Describe the means of maintaining the “termination” of undesired behavior. 19. Discuss the application of behavior management principles to group exercise, educational and health promotion situations. 20. Discuss strategies for social marketing using behavioral principles.
Midterm Examination 20% Final Examination 20% Quizzes (10 averaged) 20% Behavior Change Project 40%
The lowest quiz score will be dropped in the final grade calculation. Grades are determined based on the following scale: A = 89.5-100%, B = 79.6-89.4%, C = 69.5-79.5%, D=<69.5%.
1) Students who miss five or more classes may be subject to instructor withdrawal. 2) Students who miss quizzes or examinations without an excused absence or prior arrangement with the instructor may not makeup those quizzes or examinations. The University abides by the American’s with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which stipulates that no student shall be denied the benefits of an education “solely by reason of a handicap.” If you have a documented disability that may impact your performance in this class for which you require accommodations, please see the instructor as soon as possible to arrange accommodations. In order to receive accommodations, you must be registered with and provide documentation of your disability, the Disability Services Office, which is located in the Psychology Building, Room 232.
This project is the major and ongoing emphasis of the class. Students will be required to select a behavior for change and then design and implement a behavioral change plan, to be updated as the semester proceeds. The completed project will consist of two parts: Project Journal 70% On going journal regarding the process. This must be submitted twice during the semester. Project Final Presentation 30% A poster presentation highlighting the project and its results. This will be done in the final class meeting. Students will be required to respond to questions regarding their project while other students peruse the posters.
Lecture Topic Reading/Tests/Assignments 1 Course Introduction &Adjustment and Skills of Self Direction Read W&T Chap. 1, 2 Targets, Obstacles and Goals Read W&T Chap. 2, Quiz 1 3 Self Knowledge Read W&T Chap. 3, Quiz 2 4 Self Regulation Read W&T Chap. 4, Quiz 3 5 Antecedents Read W&T Chap. 5, Quiz 4 6 Behaviors: Actions, Thoughts & Feelings Read W&T Chap. 6, Midterm 7 Consequences Read W&T Chap. 7, Quiz 5 8 Developing a Successful Plan W&T Chap. 8, Quiz 6 9 Relapse Prevention and Maintenance W&T Chap. 9 -10, Quiz 7 10 Group Exercise and Health Promotion Supplemental Material. Quiz 9 11 Social Marketing Supplemental Material Presentation of Projects (Last Regular Class) Final Examination