Behavior Modification

50:830:446: Sec. 01:74842

Spring08: M, W, F: 9:05-10:00am

Joseph F. Joiner, Ph.D.

 joiner@camden.rutgers.edu

OnLine Course Information: http://sakai.rutgers.edu

Office: 459 Armitage Hall

Office Hours: M, W:11:20am-12:00pm; T, Th: 6:00-7:00pm

 

SYLLABUS

Course Description: Philosophical, theoretical, and experimental background of behavior modification together with clinical applications. Specific topics include principles of operant conditioning, misconceptions of behavior modification, reinforcement systems, aversive approaches, cognitive behavior therapy, and ethical and legal issues.

 

Course Texts:

1.) Kazdin, Alan E. Behavior modification in applied settings (6th. ed.) (2001). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning. ISBN# 0-534-34899-8

2.) Alloway, T., Wilson, G., & Graham, J. Sniffy the virtual rat: Lite version 2.0 (2005). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning. ISBN# 0-534-63357-9

 

Paper Grading Reference:

American Psychological Association. (2003). Publication manual of the American psychological association (5th. ed.). Author: Washington, D.C.

 

Sakai Information:

1.) Syllabus

2) Classnotes

3.) Paper Criteria

4.) APA Formatting

5.) General Paper/APA-Formatting Questions Discussion

6.) On-Going Course Announcements

 

E-Mail Communication:

1.) Please write “Behavior Modification” as subject.

2.) No grade information via E-Mail.

3.) No General Paper/APA Formatting Questions via E-mail.

 

 

Class Attendance & Participation:

1.) Attendance is mandatory, and roll will be taken each class session.

2.) After roll has been taken, student will be considered late.

3.) Student must remain in class for the entire time period to receive full credit for the period.

4.) Student arriving late is responsible for notifying instructor of presence at the end of the session.

5.) Students will only be allowed three excused absences for the entire semester.

6.) Perfect class attendance does not constitute a final Class Attendance/Participation “A” letter grade without class participation.

7.) This is a childcare-friendly course.

 

 Three Exams:

1.) Multiple Choice/True–False Format

2.) Make-Up Exams:

          * Student must have paper-documented, instructor-approved absence.

          * Student must take exam on date scheduled without exception.

          * Make-Up Exam(s) Date: 9 May ‘08

 

Written Paper:

* A five-eight page main body APA–formatted paper will be due immediately following roll on 4/11/08. No paper will be accepted after end of class. Criteria for the paper will be discussed during class on 4/11/08.

* WARNING: “F” Letter-Grade Paper receives zero (0) points toward final course grade.

 

Final Grading Criteria:

1.) Attendance/Participation: 20%

          * Late to/leaving early: -25% of daily class total

2.) Exams: 55% Total

3.) Paper: 25%

          * “F” Letter-Grade Paper receives zero (0) points toward final course grade.

4.)Individual-Exam/Paper Numerical Scoring:

                   A = 92-100%                  C+ = 76-79%

                   B+ = 86-91%                  C = 70-75%

                   B = 80-85%                    D = 60-69%

5.) Individual Attendance, Exam, and Paper Grades discussed with student during Instructor’s office hours only.

 

 

Electronics:

1.) Students are expected to refrain from non-class related electronic communication, entertainment, internet device disruption and/or usage during class time. At the beginning of each class period, please place cell phones, pagers, etc. on silent mode and store entertainment devices. Please address communication/entertainment concerns, prior to and after class. Failure to comply will result in class participation grade deduction. I appreciate your help with matter.

2.) Electronic reproduction of lectures in any form prohibited.

Students with Learning Disabilities/Behavioral Health Diagnosis:

To be given academic consideration befitting a specific Learning Disability/Behavioral Health diagnosis, the student’s diagnosis must be documented with the Rutgers Office of Student Affairs.

ESL Students:

Please see me during my office hours for any needed resource information.

Addendums:

Students responsible for written/oral addendums to the syllabus. Generally, I will notify class of addendums following roll at the beginning of class.

 

DAILY CLASS SCHEDULE

Special Dates:

* 22Feb08: First Exam

* 25Feb08: APA Formatting Class

* 2April08: Second Exam

* 11April08: Paper Due

* 9May08: Final Exam; Make–Up Exam:  9-12am

Lecture Block One:

* 25Jan08-20Feb08

          Readings: Kazdin Chaps. 1-5

          Exam: 22Feb08

Lecture Block Two:

* 27Feb08-31Mar08

          Readings: Kazdin Chaps. 6-10

          Exam: 2April08

Lecture Block Three:

* 4April08-5May08

          Readings: Kazdin Chaps. 11-14

          Exam: 5 May08

 

 

EXPERIMENTAL  PAPER

A. APA Text:

American Psychological Association. (2003). Publication manual of the American psychological association (5th. Ed.). Author: Washington, D.C.

* Purchasing of text is optional. A copy may be found in the resource section of the Rutgers-Camden library.

B. APA–Formatted Experiment & Paper:

          Alloway, T., Wilson, G., & Graham, J. Sniffy the virtual rat: Lite version 2.0         (2005). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning. ISBN# 0-534-63357-9

* Student will design an experiment using Sniffy the virtual rat and write up an APA Experimental–Format paper.

C. Minimum Required Cited Sources:

          1. Five Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles (1996-2007)

          2. Alloway, T., Wilson, G., & Graham, J. Sniffy the virtual rat: Lite version 2.0     (2005) Text

          3. One Behavioral Modification-Based Internet Source

          4. WARNING: CLASS TEXT MAY NOT BE USED AS A SOURCE

D. Paper Content:

          1. Title Page

          2. Abstract

          3. Five–Eight Main Body Pages:

                   a. APA Experimental Paper Headings

          4. Reference List

E. Grading Criteria:

          1. 40% APA format

2. 60% Subject content

3. Paper due following roll at beginning of class on 4/11/08. One-half grade deduction for turning in paper during class period after collection. Main body less than Five or more than eight APA-approved formatted pages paper receives one full-grade deduction. No paper accepted after end of class 4/11/08.

F. WARNING:

1. “F” Letter-Grade Paper receives zero (0) points toward final course grade.

2. Paper due following roll at beginning of class on 4/11/08. One-half grade deduction for turning in paper during class period after collection. Main body less than 5 APA-approved formatted pages paper receives  one full-grade deduction. Main body greater than 8 APA-approved formatted pages one full-grade deduction. No paper accepted after end of class 4/11/08.

3. When paper is returned, if requested, student must produce review material(s). Failure to do so will result in “F” grade for the paper. 

4. NO Self-Referencing/Class Text or Lecture Citations.

          5. NO WIKIPEDIA CITATIONS

          6. NO Non-Psychology/Behavior Modification References.

          7. Plagiarism

                   * “Common Knowledge” citations considered plagiarism.

                   * Cite all referenced information.

                   * Instructor reserves the right to utilize university academic dishonesty policy.