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Wesleyan University
Creating Behavioral Change
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Wesleyan University

Creating Behavioral Change

This course is part of Abnormal Psychology Specialization

Alexis May

Instructor: Alexis May

15,491 already enrolled

Included with Coursera Plus

•Learn more
4 modules
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.8

(175 reviews)

Beginner level
No prior experience required
1 week to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

4 modules
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.8

(175 reviews)

Beginner level
No prior experience required
1 week to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
  • About
  • Outcomes
  • Modules
  • Recommendations
  • Testimonials
  • Reviews

What you'll learn

  • Fundamental principles of behavior change

  • How those principles are applied in evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions

Skills you'll gain

  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Goal Setting
  • Psychotherapy
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Behavioral Health
  • Psychology
  • Behavior Management
  • Mental Health Therapies
  • Experimentation
  • Learning Theory
  • Mental and Behavioral Health

Details to know

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Assessments

4 assignments

Taught in English

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Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Abnormal Psychology Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
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  • Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
  • Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
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There are 4 modules in this course

In this course you will learn about understanding and changing mental and physical health behavior. We will examine both the historical context and the current science. Major topics will include fundamental behavioral principles and basic elements of empirically supported individual treatments (e.g., motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapies). Lectures and examples will illustrate both the theory and the practice of evidence-based approaches to behavior change. You will engage in a course-long behavior change experiment as well as brief quizzes. Please note: this course is designed to introduce you to a range of contemporary approaches to behavioral treatments; however, it will not provide the skills needed to implement psychological interventions with others (this requires years of graduate training) nor is it designed to address or resolve your own psychological problems.

For each module, students will complete 1 assignment related to their personal behavior change project and 1 quiz on the week’s material.

What's included

8 videos2 readings1 assignment

8 videos•Total 48 minutes
  • Welcome•3 minutes•Preview module
  • Behaviorism in Historical Context•5 minutes
  • Classical Conditioning•9 minutes
  • Operant Conditioning•4 minutes
  • Reinforcement and Punishment•7 minutes
  • Types of Reinforcement•8 minutes
  • Modern Behaviorism•7 minutes
  • Personal Behavior Change Activity•2 minutes
2 readings•Total 80 minutes
  • Behavior Change Assignment #1•60 minutes
  • Post-Module Reading•20 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
  • Quiz #1•30 minutes

What's included

5 videos4 readings1 assignment

5 videos•Total 35 minutes
  • Why Change?•6 minutes•Preview module
  • Motivational Interviewing•4 minutes
  • Current Use and Evidence•7 minutes
  • Basic and Critical Listening Skills•8 minutes
  • Decisional Balance•8 minutes
4 readings•Total 102 minutes
  • YouTube Example: The Ineffective Physician•10 minutes
  • YouTube Example: The Effective Physician•7 minutes
  • Behavior Change Assignment #2•60 minutes
  • Post-Module Reading and Video•25 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
  • Quiz 2•30 minutes

What's included

4 videos3 readings1 assignment

4 videos•Total 29 minutes
  • What to Change?•4 minutes•Preview module
  • Behavioral Activation Treatment Step by Step•8 minutes
  • Case Example•7 minutes
  • Turning Activity Brainstorm to SMART Goals•9 minutes
3 readings•Total 97 minutes
  • (YouTube) Setting Up Behavioral Actions•27 minutes
  • Behavior Change Activity #3•60 minutes
  • Post-Module Reading•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
  • Quiz 3•30 minutes

What's included

4 videos3 readings1 assignment

4 videos•Total 22 minutes
  • Re-evaluating and Maintaining Gains•8 minutes•Preview module
  • Relapse Prevention Plans•6 minutes
  • Tips for Strengthening Behavior Change•7 minutes
  • Conclusion•0 minutes
3 readings•Total 88 minutes
  • (YouTube) Dan Ariely on Environment and Motivations•15 minutes
  • Post-Module Video (YouTube)•13 minutes
  • Behavior Change Activity #4•60 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
  • Quiz 4•30 minutes

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Instructor

Instructor ratings

Instructor ratings

We asked all learners to give feedback on our instructors based on the quality of their teaching style.

4.8 (46 ratings)
Alexis May
Alexis May
Wesleyan University
2 Courses•39,331 learners

Offered by

Wesleyan University

Offered by

Wesleyan University

Wesleyan University, founded in 1831, is a diverse, energetic liberal arts community where critical thinking and practical idealism go hand in hand. With our distinctive scholar-teacher culture, creative programming, and commitment to interdisciplinary learning, Wesleyan challenges students to explore new ideas and change the world. Our graduates go on to lead and innovate in a wide variety of industries, including government, business, entertainment, and science.

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Learner reviews

4.8

175 reviews

  • 5 stars

    82.38%

  • 4 stars

    15.34%

  • 3 stars

    1.13%

  • 2 stars

    0%

  • 1 star

    1.13%

Showing 3 of 175

K
KK
5

Reviewed on Feb 14, 2022

T​his course provided a useful framework and practical tools that will help me create behavioural change interventions.

J
JN
5

Reviewed on May 17, 2025

Very worthwhile as a college or upper high school elective.

V
VA
4

Reviewed on Nov 30, 2024

I'd rate this course as the second best in this specialization. Not as good as the first one, but a lot better than the one about history

View more reviews
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When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.

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