Week One: Learning and Behavior

Course Introduction

• Instructor: Professor Jones
• Course Focus: Learning and behavior
• Project: Behavior change project
  • Work on this project step-by-step each week
  • At the end of the semester, present a report and share on the discussion board

Behavior Change Project Overview

• Weekly Tasks: Each week involves a step in the behavior change project
• Feedback: Submit weekly for feedback before moving on

Step One: Selecting Participant and Target Behavior

Choosing a Participant

• Must be willing and not coerced
• Should have easy access to their behavior
• Recommended participants:
  • Yourself
  • Roommate
  • Sibling
  • Parent
  • Pets (dog or cat)
• Consider disruptions (e.g., weather, travel) when choosing

Target Behavior Selection

• Criteria:
  • Easily observable
  • Easily measurable
  • Precise
  • Passes the "Stranger Test"
    • Can a stranger identify the behavior from the description?
  • Passes the "Dead Man's Test"
    • If a dead man can do it, it’s not a behavior (e.g., sitting still)
• Avoid:
  • Behaviors too frequent to measure
  • Emotions directly (consider reports of emotions or standardized measures)
  • Use Likert scales for symptoms like anxiety or depression

Assignment Submission

• Task: Upload a written description of your operational definition
• Feedback: Refine based on feedback

Course Support

• Three check-ins throughout the course
• Support Options:
  • Email for progress and questions
  • Face-to-face meetings available
  • On-campus support

Instructor’s Closing

• Encouragement for the semester
• Open invitation to contact for questions
• Wishing a great start to the class