Applied Behavioural Science

This is a course that integrates psychology and sociology, with a focus on psychological social psychology and sociological social psychology. It examines the factors that produce and influence behaviour particularly in workplace settings. It is a theoretical course that is geared toward undestanding the reciprocal relationship between theory and practice. The word “applied”, in the course title, emphasizes that theories, conceptual frameworks, and empirical studies should be investigated for their relevance to improvements in everyday life, especially within the HRD field. As a foundation course in the HRD programme, our general domain of study is the “behavioural”, specifically human behaviour. This includes individual, interpersonal and group levels of analysis. Because effective HRD work should be evidence-based, interventions should be grounded in knowledge garnered using sound research designs and methods –hence the word “science” in the title of the course. By situating work life in the context of larger social systems, the course offers the opportunity to appreciate Caribbean realities of social structure, history and culture. Through some of the key theoretical perspectives within psychological social psychology and sociological social psychology, the course provides a broad lens for understanding human behaviour. The course is also designed so that students develop themselves as Masters-level scholars, hopefully setting the stage for excellence in the HRD programme.