Module: Behaviour Change Across the Lifespan

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Behaviour Change Across the Lifespan
Module Code	PSY1038 (ITS: PSYC305)
Faculty	Psychology	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

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

Section Breakdown
CRN	11480	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Sinead Smyth	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment 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; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

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

Articles:

0: Relevant articles will be recommended by the Module Co-ordinator,

Other Resources

None