Download PSY3021

As of 9 Dec 2016
Course Outline
Part I
Programme Title : Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Psychology/
Programmes that eligible for Second Major in Educational Psychology
or Minor in General Psychology
Course Title
: Learning Theories and Processes
Course Code
: PSY3021
Department
: Psychology
Credit Points
:3
Contact Hours
: 39
Pre-requisite(s)
: Basic Principles of Psychology (or equivalent)
Medium of Instruction: EMI
Level
:3
___________________________________________________________________________
Part II
1.
Synopsis
The nature of learning, its components, and how to most efficiently enhance learning
have been examined from a number of theoretical, empirical, and applied perspectives.
This course aims to provide an overview of the processes responsible for learning. It is
designed to enhance students’ understanding in two classic learning theories --- classical
conditioning and operant conditioning. The application of learning theories to
educational and other settings will also be covered.
2.
Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs)
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
CILO1
Explain and compare major features of learning theories/principles and
their underlying processes, extensions, and limitations;
CILO2
Discuss factors affecting learning processes and behavioral outcomes;
CILO3
Apply learning principles to hypothetical and/or real life situations.
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3.
Content, CILOs and Teaching & Learning Activities
Course Content
CILOs
Suggested Teaching &
Learning Activities
Historical background:
l
Historical background of learning theories;
five schools of behaviorism; early theories
about the association of ideas.
General principles of learning
l
Elicited behaviors; habituation;
sensitization; opponent-process theory of
emotion.
Classical conditioning
l
Pavlov’s discovery of classical
conditioning; basic procedure and
components of classical conditioning; basic
conditioning phenomena; higher order
conditioning; theories of associative
learning; types of associations; the form of
the conditioned response; underlying
processes in classical conditioning;
applications of classical conditioning.
Operant conditioning
l
The law of effect; the procedure of
shaping; principles of operant conditioning;
four types of contingencies; reinforcement
schedules; factors affecting performance on
reinforcement schedules; theories of
reinforcement; token economy; shaping.
Avoidance & Punishment
l
Two-factor theory; one-factor theory;
learned helplessness; factors influencing
the effectiveness of punishment;
disadvantages of using punishment;
negative punishment; positive punishment;
response cost; time-out; extinction;
stimulus control.
Choice & Self-Control
l
The matching law; optimization theory;
momentary maximization theory;
melioration theory
Observational learning
l
Theories of imitation; imitation as an
operant response; Bandura’s theory of
imitation; modeling in behavior therapy
Rule-governed behavior
l
Personal rules in self-regulation;
psychopathology, psychotherapy and
rule-governed behavior
CILO1,2
Lectures, discussion
CILO1,2
Lectures, discussion,
demonstrations
CILO1-3
Lectures, demonstrations,
experiments, exercises
CILO1-3
Lectures, demonstrations,
experiments, exercises
CILO1-3
Lectures, discussion,
experiments,
demonstrations, exercises
CILO1-3
Lectures, discussion
CILO1-3
Lectures, discussion
CILO1-3
Lectures, discussion
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4.
a.
l
b.
l
c.
l
Assessment
Assessment Tasks
Individual assignment
Students will submit 2 lab reports by completing lab
report sheets that are to be downloaded from Moodle.
Each report should not be longer than 2 pages. Each
report contributes 10%.
Short quiz
A short quiz is designed to test students’ mastery over
the two major Learning theories.
Final exam
A two-hour final exam is set to assess students’
abilities in mastering, applying and synthesizing the
theories and concepts explained in this course. Test
items will be designed to test students’ understanding
of basic terminology, and elementary concepts, and
their ability to integrate and apply these concepts to
analyze hypothetical and/or real life examples.
Weighting (%)
20%
CILO
CILO1-3
15%
CILO1-3
65%
CILO1-3
Not all the materials in the textbook will be
covered in class, and some materials discussed in
class will not be found in the textbook. However,
materials for the quiz and final exam can be
derived from the textbooks, lectures, and lab
sessions.
5.
Required Text(s)
Mazur, J. E. (2013). Learning and behavior (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
6.
Recommended Readings
Alberto, P. A., & Troutman, A. C. (2009). Applied behavior analysis for teachers. Upper
Saddle River, N.J.: Merrill/Pearson.
Powell, R.A., Honey, P.L., Symbaluk, D.G. (2013). Introduction to learning and
behavior. Belmont, Calif. : Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
Schunk, D. H. (2008). Learning theories. An educational perspective. Columbus, OH:
Pearson.
7.
Related Web Resources
General sites:
American Psychological Association: The American Psychological Association
publishes many excellent journals in psychology. You will find a list of them at this
website. It also has hot links to a number of useful psychology sites.
http://www.apa.org/
Australian Psychological Society: http://www.psychology.org.au/
British Psychological Society: http://www.bps.org.uk/index.cfm
Specific sites:
Theory into practice: This is a useful website for quick overviews of key theories in
educational psychology. http://tip.psychology.org/index.html
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Advances in classical condition conditioning:
http://www.questia.com/library/education/classical-conditioning.jsp
Behavior analysis list: This list of websites from Athabasca University in Canada is
very useful for searching for information on behavioral psychology.
http://psych.athabascau.ca/html/aupr/ba.shtml
Operant conditioning: This site gives a comprehensive overview of key elements of
operant conditioning. http://www.brembs.net/operant/
Applied behavior analysis. This site provides some more detailed information on
applied behavior analysis. http://www.iaba.com
8.
Related Journals
Nil
9.
Academic Honesty
The University adopts a zero tolerance policy to plagiarism. For the University’s policy
on plagiarism, please refer to the Policy on Academic Honesty, Responsibility and
Integrity with Specific Reference to the Avoidance of Plagiarism by Students
(https://www.eduhk.hk/re/modules/downloads/visit.php?cid=9&lid=89).
Students
should familiarize themselves with the Policy.
10. Others
Nil
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