Concepts and principles of learning

This unit defines the basic elements involved in a scientific analysis of behaviour, and introduces you to several principles that have been discovered through such an analysis. In this unit, you will learn about two functionally distinct types of behaviour, respondent and operant, and discuss how the environment influences each type of behaviour. In addition, you will gain an in depth understanding of core concepts and principles in behaviour analysis, including reinforcement, extinction, punishment, motivation, stimulus control, and stimulus equivalence. Throughout the unit, you will be challenged to apply these concepts and principles to analyse complex human behaviour in real world settings.