This course has two aims. The first aim is to explain the principles of behaviour modification in children. The principles are those of operant and classical conditioning, modelling, and rule-governed behaviour. They can be used to account for the roles of experience in child development, and to help troubled children. The second aim is to give a basic training in using principles of behaviour modification for the benefit of children.
The course provides the basis for the course on “Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy with Young People”.
Coordinator
Dr. H. Boelens
Kamer 3B44
Tel: +31 (0)71 527 3697
E-mailadres: boelens@fsw.leidenuniv.nl
Aims
At the end of this course, the student should be capable of (1) interpreting everyday behaviour changes in terms of well-established forms of learning and (2) carrying out behavioural assessment, making behavioural objectives, and devising treatment plans for simple behaviour problems.
Literature
Martin, G., & Pear, J. (2006). Behavior modification: What it is and how to do it (8th ed). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Examination
Written report on work with two children during the course.
From January 1, 2006 the Faculty of Social Sciences has instituted the Ephorus system to be used by instructors for the systematic detection of plagiarism in students’ written work. Please see the Additional Rules and Regulations, section 6.
Education method(s)
Seven (7) lectures introducing the principles of behaviour training with children.
Seven (7) workgroups facilitating training in the application of the principles.
Each student works with two children, between four and eight years old. The aim is to teach the children useful behaviour. This can involve self-help skills, social behaviour, language, on-task behaviour, or fear of failure. The student searches for a school, and chooses the children in consultation with teachers in Groups 1-4 (kindergarten, first or second grade). The student visits the school three times per week, for a period lasting eight to ten weeks.
Enrolment
Introduction and enrolment for courses of the first semester will take place August 27th 2009. Introduction and enrolment for courses of the second semester will take place in January 2010. More information will be available at the website of the Institute of Psychology.
NB: Assessment of the course is not by means of an exam, and therefore there also is no exam registration.
Blackboard
Information on the course on Blackboard