Program Overview

Introduction to PSYC 411

PSYC 411, Behaviour Analysis: Translating from Experiment to Application, is a course offered by the School of Psychology at Victoria University of Wellington. This course focuses on translating experimental research into real-world applications, particularly in the context of behaviour change.

Course Details

• Course Code: PSYC 411
• Duration: Approximately 150 hours or 8.3 hours per week for 18 weeks
• Points: 15 points
• Availability: Limited entry
• Fees (2025):
  • Domestic students: NZ$1,298.55
  • International students: NZ$5,357.55
• Lecture Times: Tuesday, 1.10pm
• Campus: Kelburn

Entry Restrictions

• Prerequisites: PSYC 332 or 409
• Corequisites: None
• Restrictions: None

Course Objectives

Students who pass this course should be able to:

1. Use up-to-date experimental literature to develop fluency with current topics in behaviour change.
2. Communicate a synthesized, critical understanding of research in experimental, translational, and applied behaviour analysis relevant to a stated applied problem in a manner appropriate to a scientific audience.
3. Work with a research team to develop a plan drawing on up-to-date research to achieve a behaviour-change goal in a community setting.
4. Develop an understanding of collaborative partnerships for behaviour change in professional settings.

How the Course is Taught

The teaching format for PSYC 411 includes:

1. Workshops on current topics in behaviour analysis and behaviour change.
2. Group community behaviour change project.
3. Student presentations.

Assessment

• COM-B and Behaviour Change: 15%
• Reflections on Partnerships for Behaviour Change: 10%
• Presentation on Literature Review Topic: 10%
• Literature Review for Community Behaviour Change Plan Project: 50%
• Plain English Behaviour Change Project Proposal for Community Partner: 15%

Key Dates and Academic Year

The academic year is divided into three teaching periods (trimesters). The course is not offered in 2026, but information for 2025 is available.

About the Course

This course examines topics in behaviour analysis, focusing on translational research that bridges the gap between experimental and applied settings. A key component is the Community Partnership Project, where students work with an organization to develop a behaviour-change plan using current literature and research methods.

Faculty and School

The course is taught by the School of Psychology, which is part of the Faculty of Science at Victoria University of Wellington.