PGDipPracPsych - Behaviour Analysis as a subject

Some students study Behaviour Analysis in order to apply their knowledge and skills to human problems, and to do work based on behavioural principles in an applied setting or to undertake research in these areas. Others study it to work with animal behaviour; they may be interested in research or in animal problem behaviours or animal training. Some combine both research and practice and/or the study of animal and human behaviour.

For whatever reason you are considering taking courses in this area, the behavioural courses and programmes will provide you with knowledge which you can use to understand, study and work practically with behaviour. An understanding of how and why behaviour occurs and how it can be changed for the better is of fundamental value to almost all professions.

Depending on your specialty, you may work in a range of settings (including research institutions, private practice, schools, special education settings, universities, health services, business and industry, and governmental agencies), and with a range of populations (including families, people with psychological problems, children with challenging behaviours, individuals with special needs, teachers, people and their pets, and others seeking positive behaviour change).

Students who have specialised in the application of Behaviour Analysis to human issues and clinical problems are working in the community, in health, in mental health, and in early intervention or in educational settings with individuals with a wide range of problems and disabilities, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Conduct Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

However, it doesn’t matter what type of psychology you choose to practice, or whether you end up in a field orientated to people or animals. What is important is that you gain an understanding of how and why organisms behave (i.e. what maintains and/or influences behaviour).