Table of contents

The course is connected to the following study programs

Teaching language

English if English speaking participants.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the candidate

Knowledge

  • will have in-depth understanding of the study of behavior from a selectionist point of view
  • will have in-depth knowledge and understanding of various areas of application for natural scientific research on behavior
  • will have in-depth knowledge of phylogenetic and ontogenetic influences on behavior

Skills

  • can reflect and make judgments on when a natural scientific understanding of behavior is feasible
  • can master and critically evaluate the use of a selectionist approach to understanding behavior in relation to other disciplines
  • can reuse and cumulate existing knowledge to the study of behavior

General competences

  • can critically evaluate and reflect on interdisciplinary selectionist thinking
  • can communicate the results of an analysis of a behavior environment interaction in a presentation

Contents

The course will offer an introduction to various topics in present behavior analytic research. The main but not exclusive focus is on human behavior. The course will focus on a selectionist approach to understanding current behavior - environment interactions and their relation to events in a species’ phylogeny. It builds a bridge between psychology, behavior analysis, evolutionary biology, philosophy of behavioral science and biology, and other disciples concerned with understanding learning, the behavior of organisms (including human animals,) and how to research it.

Teaching and learning methods

The teaching and learning methods consist of a combination of lectures, group work and presentations based on the lecture topics, selected readings, and the candidates’ own ongoing research. In zoom sessions, it is expected that the students have their camaras on.

Examination requirements

The course days, group work, and presentations are mandatory.

Examinations

The final assignment is a 20 min presentation based on an application of the lecture contents, interteaching literature, and conversations to the PhD student’s own research. This presentation can be given either on zoom or on campus streamed to the other participants. This assignment will be graded as pass or fail.

Student evaluation

Electronical evaluation by SurveyXact after completing the course.

Offered as a free-standing course

No

Other information

Contact person: Professor Carsta Simon (carsta.simon@uia.no)
Last updated from FS (Felles studentsystem) Oct. 15, 2026 1:34:32 PM