BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCE
Introduction
 Behavioral science is the systematic analysis and
investigation of human and animal behaviour
through controlled and naturalistic observation, and
disciplined scientific experimentation. It attempts to
accomplish legitimate, objective conclusions through
rigorous formulations and observation. Examples of
behavioural sciences include
psychology, psychobiology, criminology and cognitiv
e science.
Essential Information
 Behavioral science has applications in various fields,
such as psychology and organizational behavior. A
certificate program in behavioral science teaches
students about society and examines different ways in
which individuals and groups interact. Graduate
certificate programs are available for those who are
interested in pursuing careers in this field. These
programs have a strong emphasis on teaching students to
develop quality analytical and research skills.
 Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree with a major in
psychology or related field
 Behavioral Science Program Fields: Behavioral
science, substance abuse, counseling
Behavioral science certificate
Students pursing a behavioral science certificate must
have strong research skills and the ability to analyze
data in order to make quality observations.
Additional focal points may include:
Qualitative methods of analysis
Social statistics
Consumer behavior
Behavioral science
Group dynamics
Eligibility
To enter into a career in behavioral science, you need
to complete either a bachelor course in behavioral
science field or a bachelor of psychology.
Courses in social work, anthropology, criminology and
counseling can also open doors into this field. As
behavioral science is taught in a broader sense in
different courses, decide on the specific career field
you want to work in, before choosing the specialized
course. Taking up internships along with your degree
will give you better prospects for getting a good job.
Courses
Psychology is very diverse – overlapping with and contributing to many other
disciplines such as anthropology, archaeology, computer science,
linguistics, neuroscience, philosophy, and sociology . Psychological and
Behavioural Sciences (PBS)gives you the opportunity to study cognitive,
social, developmental and biological psychology within the broader context
of the behavioural sciences.
The course covers, for example, cognitive psychology, psychopathology,
language, brain mechanisms, gender, family relationships and influences,
personality, and group social behaviour. also enable you to study the topics
that interest you most in greater depth.
Psychology is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). This
means that students who successfully graduate (with at least second class
Honours) achieve the ‘graduate recognition’ needed to pursue a career in
psychology.
Research Methods for Behavioral Science
In making decisions, managers and policy makers can resort to their
intuition, personal experience, testimonials, anecdotal evidence, or
empirical evidence. Irrespective of which one opts to base decisions upon,
the latter is the only rigorous method. Knowledge of certain methods are
however necessary. This course aims to introduce you to the main
methodological concepts and tools in behavioral science.
The course will combine rigorous conceptual discussion with practical
applications. To achieve this objective, the course covers: Correlation
versus causation; Randomized controlled experiments in the lab and the
field; Experimental design and behavioral econometrics; Sampling
methods; When randomization is not possible: natural experiments, quasiexperiments, difference-in-difference, discontinuity regression design,
propensity score matching; Measuring risk and time preferences.
Behavioural Science- Job Opportunities
After earning a degree in one or more behavioral sciences, one
will qualify for a variety of career paths. Jobs will become
available for them all over the globe.
With a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science and a bit of
experience gained during the time studying at a university,
one may find that he/she qualify for one or more of these
positions post-graduation.
Behavioral interventionists work to reduce or extinguish
harmful behavior towards individuals or groups by enforcing
positive behavioral practices. They often work with children in
schools or at home who have developmental disabilities.
Advanced Careers
 Outpatient therapists provide therapeutic treatments to
recovering substance addicts or individuals who possess
mental health disabilities.
 Behavioral scientists spend much of their time
performing research in order to determine why human
beings act certain ways as individuals and as groups.
 A psychologist is a professional who evaluates and
studies behavior and mental processes
FAMOUS PERSONALITIES IN BEHAVIOURAL
SCIENCE
Psychology is certainly not a one-size-fits-all career
choice. In fact, one of the greatest strengths of a
psychology degree is the enormous variety of
career paths that are available to graduates.
Students can tailor their education and degree to
focus on specialty areas that appeal to their
interests. Let’s look at people who made it big in
behavioural science
SIGMUND
FREUD
When people think of
psychology, many tend to
think of Freud. His work
supported the belief that
not all mental illnesses have
physiological causes and he
also offered evidence that
cultural differences have an
impact on psychology and
behavior. His work and
writings contributed to our
understanding of
personality, clinical
psychology, human
development, and abnorma
psychology
ERIK
ERIKSON
Erik Erikson's stage
theory of psychosocial
development helped create
interest and research on
human development
through the lifespan. An
ego psychologist who
studied with Anna Freud,
Erikson expanded
psychoanalytic theory by
exploring development
throughout the life,
including events of
childhood, adulthood, and
old age
Psychologist and philosopher
William James is often
referred to as the father of
American psychology. His
1200-page text, The
Principles of Psychology,
became a classic on the
subject and his teachings and
writings helped establish
psychology as a science.
Jean Piaget's work had a
profound influence on
understanding children's
intellectual development.
Albert Einstein once
described Piaget's
observations on children's
intellectual growth and
thought processes as a
discovery "so simple that
only a genius could have
thought of it.