Course Syllabus

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Southern Utah University

Fall Semester 2025

Experimental Analysis of Behavior (Face-to-Face)

PSY 3400-01

Course:	PSY 3400-01
Credits:	3
Term:	Fall Semester 2025
Department:	PSY
CRN:	30773

Course Description

This course includes a study of the experimental analysis of behavior method, variables that have been shown to affect behavior, and principles that help us to understand, explain, and control behavior. Students must register for the lecture and the lab. (Fall, Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Co-requisite(s): PSY 3405

Required Texts

Chance, P. & Furlong, E. (2022). Learning and Behavior (8th Ed). Cengage Learning.

Learning Outcomes

The study of learning and behavior is central to our understanding of human and nonhuman animals. Studying the content of this course will help you better understand how to use evidence-based principles of learning in a wide array of applications. Engagement with the content of this course will help you learn how the environment affects behavior, how behaviors are established, and how behaviors can be modified through environmental change. By the end of the semester, students should be able to:

Describe how natural selection contributes to behavioral patterns within and across species
Identify and describe principles of classical and higher-order conditioning
Understand reinforcement and factors that influence its effects on behavior
Understand punishment and factors that influence its effects on behavior
Describe the role of observational learning on the behavior of human and nonhuman animals
Apply behavioral principles to intrapersonal and interpersonal contexts

Course Requirements

Exams (200 points total)
You will take three exams throughout the semester. Exams will take place in the classroom during the scheduled class period or during the exam period scheduled during finals week. All exams will be disseminated via Canvas and proctored via Honorlock. Students must bring with them a laptop or tablet on which they can take the exams. Exam 1 and Exam 2 (50 points each) are cumulative and will consist of true/false, multiple choice, and fill-in-the-blank questions. A short study guide will be provided one week prior to each exam. The final exam (100 points) is comprehensive and will take place the final week of the semester. This exam will consist of true/false, multiple choice, and essay questions. Essay questions will cover key themes from the course that encourage real-world application and connections between ideas. A short study guide will be provided two weeks prior to the final exam.

Behavior Analysis Project (150 points total)
You will complete a Behavior Analysis Project that consists of a series of small writing assignments and a group presentation. You will be placed in a Topic Group of 4-5 students (including yourself) based on a topic that applies concepts we will cover throughout this course. Topics will be assigned during the second week of class. If you anticipate an absence this week, you must email the instructor ahead of time for your preferences to be considered in the topic assignment.

Mini-Analyses (100 points total)
- You will complete five Mini-Analyses Papers (20 points each) throughout the semester, applying behavior-analytic principles to your assigned topic. Each paper should be 1–2 pages (500–700 words) and organized with headings for each relevant principle. Under each heading, you must define the principle, explain how it relates to your topic, and provide at least one example of what it looks like in application (including possible interventions where appropriate). Submissions are due through Canvas as a PDF, along with a link to your personal Google Doc. These analyses are completed individually, while the final presentation will be completed in groups.
Group Presentation (50 points total)
- In the final weeks of class, your Topic Group will work together to create a 15-20 minute Group Presentation (45 points) that synthesizes information from your individual Mini-Analysis Papers. Presentations should fully meet the 15-20 minute time requirement and will be followed by up to 5 minutes of questions from classmates. Individual contributions to the group’s presentation development and delivery will be evaluated via a Peer Contribution Form (5 points) available on Canvas. Students must earn at least 70% of the total possible points on their Peer Feedback scores to receive full credit for the Group Presentation.

Generative AI use is prohibited on Behavior Analysis Project assignments. See Canvas for rubrics and additional instructions.

Chapter Quizzes (120 points total)
Throughout the semester, you will complete open-book, open-note quizzes that assess your understanding of assigned chapter readings. Quizzes must be completed before watching the video lectures. They will include a mix of true/false, multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, and occasional essay questions. I will drop your lowest quiz grade at the end of the semester. See Canvas for due dates specific to each chapter.

In-Class Performance (125 points total)

Active Engagement (80 points)
- I expect your engagement in my class and grade observable forms of your engagement each week. Learning is interactional, meaning both of us share a responsibility in what you learn in this course. To learn, you must do more than simply attend lectures - you must also engage with the content I teach you. I acknowledge that active engagement in college courses can take many forms, from asking questions to reflecting on how lecture content can apply in your own life. For the sake of this class, I define active engagement using these observable behaviors: Coming to class, attending to the speaker, asking relevant questions, responding to questions, and using electronic devices appropriately.
- Following each class period, you will submit a self-assessment of your active engagement during class using the scale below (adapted from Scott Sandage). Submissions are due by 11:59 PM every Tuesday and Thursday. If you wish to earn full points on your participation grade for the class period but did not ask questions or contribute with comments, you may make up one point by writing two questions or personal applications to that day’s class content. Your self-assessment scores will be taken into account when determining your final participation grade.
  - N/A | University-excused absence
  - 0 points | Unexcused absence
  - 1 point | Informed unexcused absence
  - 2 points | In class, but distracted most of the time
  - 3 points | In class, engaged via attention
  - 4 points | In class, engaged via attention + comments/questions
Participating in Class Activities (60 points): This course will feature lectures that encompass graded in-class activities. These activities are designed to foster collaborative teamwork within small groups and engagement with class content. In-class activities cannot be made up except for in the case of a university-excused absence. Please note that speaking in small groups during in-class activities does not count toward your Active Engagement score as a comment/question.

Extra Credit Opportunities (10 points)
You have the opportunity to earn extra credit through choosing and completing one of the two extra credit options:

Behavior Modification Paper (5 points): The first extra credit option invites students to write a paper that discusses a method for modifying an actual behavior or a hypothetical behavior using at least two behavioral principles. This assignment encourages critical thinking about behavior modification techniques and their practical application. See Canvas for a rubric and detailed instructions.
Attend SUU’s Writing Center (5 points): It is recommended that you attend the writing center (virtually or in-person) for guidance and feedback on your Behavior Analysis paper. This will earn you 5 points of extra credit. The writing center will send the instructor a document confirming your attendance, which must be received to earn the extra credit points.

Please note that extra credit is optional and not a substitute for regular coursework. Completion of these extra credit opportunities is entirely at the discretion of the student, and the points earned will contribute to the overall course grade. Make sure to adhere to the outlined guidelines and deadlines for each extra credit option.

Course Outline

Week 1 | Syllabus & Introductions

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late Assignments & Quizzes
Late assignments will be accepted past the original dude date, with a deduction of 5% from the total score for each day the assignment is overdue. It is crucial for students to manage their time effectively and submit assignments on time. Exceptions may be considered in exceptional circumstances.

Missed Exams
Exams are scheduled events that require timely participation. If a student misses an exam without prior approval, a deduction of 5% will be applied to the total score for each day the exam is not taken. It is the responsibility of the student to communicate with the instructor in advance if they anticipate being unable to attend a scheduled exam. Exceptions may be granted in cases where arrangements are made with the instructor prior to the scheduled assessment.

Generative AI
Students may use generative artificial intelligence (AI) as a means of brainstorming, seeking clarification on concepts, checking spelling and grammar, and creating outlines for PowerPoint slides. Any use outside these parameters is prohibited. If I suspect inappropriate use of AI, I must follow the academic integrity procedures outlined in SUU Policy 6.33, including notifying the student of the suspicion, holding an initial meeting to discuss the evidence, and documenting the incident according to the established procedures.

Attendance Policy

Attendence is a graded component of this course. Your attendence in this class will directly impact your Active Engagement score at the end of the semester.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.

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