EDUC 535 - Applied Behavior Analysis/Verbal Behavior

(3 credits)

This course creates a framework for understanding the principles of behavioral assessment, behavior change procedures and programming strategies for behavior change. Success in changing behaviors is a result of using techniques including but are not limited to positive and negative reinforcement, extinction, punishment, discrimination and stimulus control. An in-depth examination of functional behavior assessment (interview and observation procedures), functional analysis (development of hypotheses based on functional assessment data), and behavioral intervention based on functional equivalence will be taught following Pennsylvania Department of Education guidelines. Students will discuss Skinner’s (1957) theoretical analysis of “language” as described in Verbal Behavior, and demonstrate applications derived from the analysis by Sundberg, Parington, and Michael.