FALL 2022
MONDAY Lecture: 11-12:15 DEG 463
Lab sessions: MON. and WED at 4:00, 5:00, or 6:00pm
Welcome to Psychology 331.03
Short cuts:
- Syllabus
- Test 1
- Test 2
- Final Paper Instructions
- INFORMATION FOR METHODS SECTION
- Grading Rubric
In this laboratory course you will encounter firsthand the basic theories and some basic procedures for training, managing, and conducting research on canines. You will be introduced to the physiological, cognitive and developmental aspects of canine behavior that are critical to understand when working with dogs.
As a result of this class you should develop an understanding and beginning fluency in the roles of consequences and the scheduling of consequences on acquisition, maintenance and structure of behavior in human and nonhuman organisms. The course emphasizes both the mechanisms and theories surrounding how consequences select and shape behavior, with an emphasis on methodology, measurement and quantification of behavior as a means of explaining underlying mechanisms.
This course is structured so that you will find we move from a basic introduction to the biology of canine behavior, canine development and finally canine cognition. At the same time you will be learning theories and methods of operant and classical conditioning, functional analysis and behavior assessment. We will also discuss ethical issues surrounding animal research, canine behavior and shelter/rescue programs.
As an upper division class, I prefer that we read original sources- that is, we read the actual research articles, rather than a text. However, to ensure that we all have a good basic grounding in operant conditioning, I have included a special book, Don’t Shoot the Dog, by Karen Pryor, as a wonderful resource. We will cover quite a bit of ground each week – so please keep up with the readings.
PLEASE keep this syllabus; it contains reading assignments, test dates, grade information, and other items that will be of use throughout the semester.
Office Hours:
My office phone is 438-4554. I do not have an on campus office, but I will hold office hours at 3 pm (hour before labs begin) at PCH, or by appointment.
As a result of completing the course, the student will be able to:
- Understand and be able to outline who the IACUC is, what the role of the IACUC .
- Define Animal Welfare Act and explain who the Applied Animal Act oversees.
- Develop an understanding and beginning fluency regarding the roles of consequences.
- Define the schedules of consequences and explain the consequences of these schedules on acquisition, maintenance and structure of behavior in human and nonhuman organisms.
- Become familiar with the mechanisms and theories surrounding how consequences select and shape behavior
- Understand and apply behavioral methodology such as shaping, functional analysis, development of fluency.
- Be able to use measurement and quantification of behavior via laboratory exercises.
- Compare and contrast the major principles of experimental analysis of behavior in general, and in particular to operant conditioning, choice, stimulus control, aversive and punished behavior, complex response units, and dynamic behavior.
- Address contemporary social issues contained within the analysis of behavior in experimental and applied situations, and particularly in the area of shelter animals.
- Understand the physical, cognitive and social development of domestic dogs and be able to relate these concepts to training situations.
- Define a functional anlysis and show fluency in conducting a functional analysis with dogs.
- Recognize the similarities and differences in learning processes across species of animals and humans.
- Understand the dynamics of the individual versus a social group and how this may affect learning and cognitive behavior.
- Become familiar with the ethics involved in research with animal subjects and the legal and moral responsibilities of those working with nonhuman subjects.
Required Texts
- Your main “texts” are Don’t Shoot the Dog, by Karen Pryor and Fearful Dog Rehabilitation: Life with a Farm Rescue by Susan Gutteridge. These book may be purchased at the Alamo, the University Bookstore, or most any bookstore or online.
- To supplement this with academic readings, we ALSO tackle original sources. These are available online from our website. You are responsible for downloading, reading each article, and completing the reading study guide for each reading.
Class Activities and Grading
The format of the course includes both lecture material and weekly laboratory sessions. Lecture material and information regarding laboratory exercises will be available online. Laboratory sessions will involve working and training a dog at Pet Central Helps animal shelter. These will be in person sessions. IF YOU ARE AN ONLINE ONLY STUDENT, PLEASE LET ME KNOW BY THE END OF THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS.
Lectures:
Lectures are on MONDAYS from 11 am to 2:15 pm. Attendance at lectures is mandatory, unless excused. You will learn critical information, skills and instructions for laboratory sessions: It is important that you do NOT miss lecture.
The lectures will focus on concepts, techniques, and issues critical to operant conditioning and canine behavior. Important lab instructions, directions and announcements are made in lecture, so it is very important that you attend.
Laboratory Sessions:
PLEASE ATTEND AT YOUR ASSIGNED SESSION. If you miss a lab session, it is critical to inform your partner AND the TA or Dr. Farmer-Dougan. Failure to attend a lab or inform the instructor PRIOR to the lab session will result in a loss of points for that day.
Students are required to attend two (2) laboratory sessions per week. Lab sessions are held at Pet Central Helps, 360 Wiley Drive, Suite 720, Normal, IL.
During lab sessions you will be paired with another student. The two of you will then be assigned a dog, or assigned to work with the kennel dogs (these dogs change weekly, but their problem remains the same!). This is your dog/location as long as s/he remains in the program. It is possible that your dog will be adopted prior to the end of the semester. When this happens, you will be assigned the next available rescue dog. If you are MUCH more interested in cat behavior, and are interested in working in the cattery, PLEASE let me know. We do have cats…and many are very shy and need some socialization work.
Laboratory sessions involve moving, getting down on the floor, and touching/interacting with the dogs. Comfortable clothing (that is easily washed) and sturdy shoes are a must. Dog leashes and treats will be provided for you.
LABORATORY ATTENDANCE AND DATA COLLECTION IS MANDATORY….WORKSHEETS AND/OR A DAILY DATA SHEET ARE TO BE COMPLETED FOR EACH LABORATORY SESSION!
HINT: Do not wear dark clothing, clothing that attracts lint or hair, or any clothing you are concerned about keeping clean……dogs are hairy and can be messy. You may get slobber, dog hair, and other dog emissions on you. But, you also get lots of unconditional positive regard (from the dogs!)
Each lecture session will focus on a particular training or assessment technique. Dr. Farmer-Dougan will lead these lecture/training sessions. It is critical that you have completed all homework related to the lab PRIOR to attending the lab. An unprepared trainer will result in frustrated and unsuccessful dog!
Tests and Projects
There will be two tests and one project/presentation required for this class: The tests will be given at midterm and approximately two weeks before the end of the semester. The final project will include a written APA style research/case study paper and an oral presentation. Guidelines for the project will be handed out in class.
Daily Work/Regular Assignments
There are two types of daily assignments
1. Laboratory session Data collection. You must complete data collection for EACH laboratory session. It is expected that one student will collect the data during the first half of the lab, and then the second student will collect data during the second half of the session. This is to allow both students the opportunity to conduct the training AND learn to take data.
You will receive a total of 10 points for each laboratory session if you have completed your assigned data collection task. (10 points per week x 15 weeks). If you fail to complete a data collection session you will lose points for that session unless your absence is excused.
2. Reading summaries. Each student will complete the assigned reading summary each week, for a possible total of 10 points. Each week’s reading summary is posted online. It is your responsibility to download and read each of the readings and complete each summary by the deadline (either handwritten or typed is acceptable). These summaries will become CRITICAL for completing the laboratory sessions, for the tests, and for your final project.
Written summaries are due NO LATER than FRIDAY of each week.
| Summaries will be Graded as: | On Time | Late |
| Completed accurately and in detail: | 10 Points | 8 Points |
| Completed, with a few corrections needed: | 8 Points | 6 Points |
| Partially or inaccurately completed, poor detail: | 7 Points | 4 Points |
| Partially completed or very inaccurate: | 6 Points | 2 Points |
| Partially completed, no detail, inaccurate: | 5 Points | 1 Points |
| Anything over a week late: | 0 Points |
Final Project Paper
Each person will write up the results of their work with the dogs as an APA style research/case study paper. This will include background literature (using the readings from class), a method section, results section and discussion. Of course, you will also include your references, tables and figures. The final project is worth a total of 150 points.
Final Grades
Grades will be based on the following:
| Tests (100 Points Each) | 200 Points |
| Daily Laboratory Sessions | 150 Points |
| Final Project | 150 Points |
| Study Guides | 150 Points |
Final Grades:
| A | 598.0-650 points |
| B | 546.0 to 597.99 points |
| C | 494.0 to 545.99 points |
| D | 420.0 to 493.99 points |
| F | 419 points or less |
CDC Guidelines and ISU COVID requirements
The CDC provides updated COVID-related guidelines as the science becomes clearer and humans shift their behavior and responses to COVID. ISU monitors and evaluates these guidelines and provides university wide COVID requirements, which may change throughout the semester. You are expected to adhere to these guidelines and requirements. Failure to do so may result in a disposition concern due to an inability to respect the health and safety of your instructor and classmates. ISU continues to provide University-wide COVID-requirements based on the Center for Disease Control’s updated guidelines and State of Illinois requirements. While these requirements may be modified throughout our semester, we (Students, Faculty and Staff) are expected to follow them. Please know I will implement these expectations throughout our semester, to keep us as healthy as possible. As you will learn, an educator has many responsibilities beyond teaching their subject matter. A teacher’s first responsibility is to protect their students. I view this as my primary responsibility this semester. If a Psychology major decides to not follow University COVID guidelines in my class, I will submit a Disposition Concerns Assessment (Unresolvable) to The Lauby Teacher Education Center. Please, let’s work together to have the in-person/on campus and animal shelter labs semester we have all been longing to have.
Academic Dishonesty
Any cheating will not be tolerated. Cheating or plagiarism will result in an F in the course and referral to the Student Code Enforcement Review Board (SCERB) for disciplinary action. Cheating INCLUDES (but is not limited to): plagiarism of both published and unpublished written work, having another individual take or assist you with an online exam, taking an exam for or assisting another individual with an online quiz, performing or completing a class assignment or quiz for another individual or having another individual perform or complete a class assignment or quiz for you. Cheating is thus defined generally as representing work that is NOT your own as your work or allowing your work to be represented as another’s’ so that individual receives academic credit. Violators of this policy will receive a failing grade on that assignment or quiz, a possible failing grade for the course, and referral to the department chair and the SCERB for disciplinary action.
Diversity
Illinois State University, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding affirmative action, nondiscrimination, and anti-harassment. Illinois State University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, order of protection, gender identity and expression, ancestry, age, marital status, disability, genetic information, unfavorable military discharge, or status as a veteran in employment, educational programs and activities, or admissions. Inquiries or complaints may be addressed by contacting the director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access by email at EqualOpportunity@IllinoisState.edu, by calling (309) 438-3383, or by mailing to the office at Illinois State University, Campus Box 1280, Normal, IL 61790.
Of course, one special area of diversity in this class is learning that not all dogs are the same, and that we can’t judge a dog by its supposed breed, size, background, color, etc. While genetics and prenatal environments can highly influence canine behavior, much of a dog’s behavior is shaped by its early experiences and its current environment. We will work with dogs that have special needs- be it reactivity to humans or other dogs, or abuse backgrounds and resulting “trauma brain”. Dogs, unfortunately, do not speak English and cannot tell us about their history, so we must listen carefully to their behavior. This is a special focus of this class. We are not dog whisperers, we are dog listeners.
Special Educational Accommodations
If you have a disability, if English is your second language, or need other special considerations, please see me as soon as possible (that’s before the first test!) to work out any special arrangements that might be needed. If you fail a test, please see me as soon as possible. I cannot help you if you do not contact me for help!
Any student needing to arrange a reasonable accommodation for a documented disability and/or medical/mental health condition should contact Student Access and Accommodation Services at 350 Fell Hall, (309) 438-5853, or visit the StudentAccess.IllinoisState.edu. Other useful information about accessibility and working with Student Access and Accommodation Service can be found at http://studentaccess.illinoisstate.edu/faculty_staff/academic/.
Absences due to Illness or Student Bereavement
Students who are ill for an extended period of time or students who experience the death of an immediate family member or relative (as defined in the University Student Bereavement Policy) will be excused from class until they are well enough to attend, for funeral leave, subsequent bereavement, and/or travel considerations. Students are responsible for providing appropriate documentation to the Dean of Students office and for contacting the instructor as soon as possible to make arrangements for completing missed work. More information is available in the Student Bereavement Policy at http://www.policy.illinoisstate.edu/2-1-27.shtm
We may, of course, experience interruptions in the in-person portion of this class due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Any student who is unable to/fears for their health while attending an in-person dog training session should contact me for alternative arrangements. If we are required to move the entire course online, alternative arrangements for laboratory sessions will be made
Lecture Schedule
Changes to the lecture schedule topics or readings are always possible as I discover an updated or more relevant reading. Watch this site and Reggienet for the most up-to-date announcements and assignments.