Module: Behaviour Change Across the Lifespan

Module Specifications..

Current Academic Year 2023 - 2024

Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Behaviour Change Across the Lifespan
Module Code	PSYC305
School	37
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Sinead Smyth Semester 2: Sinead Smyth Autumn: Sinead Smyth
Module Teachers	Sinead Smyth
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Coursework Only

Description

Module Aims: • To demonstrate how the principles of behaviour change can be applied to human behaviour in a diverse range of settings • To provide knowledge of the range of techniques used in assessment of and intervention with human behaviour across the lifespan.

Learning Outcomes

1. describe how principles of the science of behaviour change can be applied to human behaviour in a diverse range of settings across the lifespan
2. outline the importance of analysis and assessment in planning for behaviour change
3. outline the range of theories and techniques used in assessment of behaviour and intervention for behaviour change.
4. assess and compare the theoretical underpinnings of difference approaches to behaviour change.
5. critique behaviour change research with various types of single-subject and group design.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	12	weekly asynchronous online lectures
Seminars	10	weekly online synchronous seminars
Assignment Completion	47	Indepent work on assigments
Independent Study	44	Required readings, literature searches, other independent learning
Online activity	12	Online activities
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Students will engage in a series of interactive lectures during which they will be encouraged to discussion possible interventions and ethical issues associated with a variety of behaviour problems.
They will be required to choose a target behaviour for change and plan an intervention designed to increase or decrease that behaviour. Students must justify their choice of behaviour, as well as their chosen behaviour change theory/approach. They must also choose a research design which will demonstrate if the intervention has been success. Students will present this as both a written report and a thesis in 3 style presentation. to identify a peer reviewed paper from a behaviour analytic journal and outline and critique this in a class presentation. Lecture topics will include:

• Historical and philosophical underpinnings of theories of behaviour and behaviour change.

• Assessment and interventions

• Ethical issues in applied behaviour change

• Applications of behaviour analysis across the life span
Topical issues will be chosen each year such as early intervention and adolescence, cognitive behaviour therapy and psychopathology, gambling and addictions, environmental issues and gerontology.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Presentation	Students will present a planned intervention in thesis in 3 format.	40%	n/a
Report(s)	Students will submit a 1500 word report on a planned intervention to bring about behaviour change. Further detail will be given in class.	60%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Susan Michie, Robert West, Rona Campbell, Jamie Brown,Heather Gainforth: 2014, ABC of Behaviour Change Theories, Silverback Publishing, 1912141019
Christmas, S., West, R., & Michie, S.: 2015, Thinking About Behaviour Change, Silverback Publishing, 1912141035
Robert West,Susan Michie: 2016, A Guide to Development and Evaluation of Digital Behaviour Change Interventions in Healthcare, Silverback Publishing, 1912141027
Leslie, J. C.: 1999, Behavior Analysis: Foundations and Applications to Psychology, Psychology Press, Hove, 9057024861
Miltenberger, R. G.: 2011, Behavior Modification: Principles and Procedures, 5th, Wadsworth Publishing Co Inc, UK, 1111306125
Hayes, S. C.,Strosahl, K. D., Wilson, K. G.: 2011, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, 2nd, Guilford Press, New York, 978-1-60918-962-4
Bailey, J. S., & Burch, M. R.: 2002, Research Methods in Applied Behavior Analysis, Sage, London, 761925562
Kazdan, A. E.: 2010, Single-Case Research Designs: Methods for Clinical and Applied Settings, 2nd Ed, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 195341880

Other Resources

None

Programme or List of Programmes

BPY	BSc (Honours) in Psychology

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