COURSE	updated 07 December 2007
ANNOUNCEMENTS	email me if you find this page!

FINALS

MSU,M Finals Schedule

Psych 207: Intro Behavior Analysis

BECAUSE THE ARMSTRONG HALL ELEVATOR WILL BE OUT OF SERVICE STARTING SATURDAY Dec 15th, WE WILL PROBABLY MOVE THE RATS OUT THURSDAY OR FRIDAY. WEDNESDAY WILL BE THE LAST OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH THEM OR TO ADOPT THEM. Stimulus Control Now we are adding the final element of the basic behavior analytic model: the situation in which the behavior is reinforced as a controlling stimulus for the behavior. Two points: First, the DRO contingency (changeover delay) is a necessary part of this procedure. Unless you use it properly you are not likely to bring your rat under stimulus control of the light. Second, stimulus control is defined as the greater frequency of a behavior in the presence of a stimulus compared to its absence. Therefore, we are using an index that is the ratio between the response rate in SD and in SÆ. A reminder that this course will fade away into history after this semester. If it is offered after I retire it will be a very different course! Advanced Behavior Analysis (Psyc 407) is not currently being offered. If you are looking for a follow up course I'd recommend Dr. Filter's Applied Behavior Analysis course (Psyc 476) Some introductory remarks from the first class session: What is Behavior Analysis? Behavior Analysis is a field that has some overlap with Psychology, but is not the same thing. All Behavior Analysts are not Psychologists, and certainly all Psychologists are not Behavior Analysts! Behavior Analysis is the study of human action. It is the study of Behavior (particularly human behavior) for its own sake (not as a way of studying something else, such as 'mind'. Behavior Analysts do believe in the existence of thinking, but as another behavior that needs to be explained -- not as an explanation for behavior. What we reject is the idea that there is some thing called a mind that has a real existence and causes behavior. Behavior Analysis asumes that its subject matter (human behavior) can be studied scientifically. Scientific method: Making testable statements about what will be observed, then testing those predictions and using the results to refine the system -- make better predictions in the future. This means that we must assume that our subject matter (behavior) is 'lawful' -- things happen for reasons that can be predicted. Behavior is an effect; the causes can (in principle at least) be identified. Behavior doesn't 'just happen'.

ROOM 40B USAGE
FALL ONLY

FINALS WEEK EXAM SCHEDULE

FALL 2007

course	date	time	room
PSYCHOLOGY 207	Monday 12/10	10:15am	Rm 29
(Intro BA)	Tuesday 12/11	10:15am	Rm 29
	Thursday 12/13	12:30pm	Rm 29
	Friday 12/14	9:00am	Rm 29

Exams will be given at these times only !