CPD in Applied Behavioural Science

Overview

This CPD is part of a programme of Continuous Professional Development in the area of Applied Social Data Analysis that the School of Social Sciences and Philosophy will deliver from Spring 2022. Addressing the scarcity of training in data science in Ireland and co-created with key industry partners, the Applied Social Data Analysis CPD programme trains participants in the fundamental knowledge and skills of social data analysis.

The programme goes beyond social data analytics to address causal analysis and consider social issues that are important to industries such as inequality, unemployment, climate change and ethics. This CPD will be of interest to individuals who wish to progress their careers through acquiring valuable social data analysis skills that are widely sought after in the private, public and non-profit sectors.

Short description

This CPD in Applied Behavioural Science will provide important insights into the fundamental patterns of individual and group behaviour. The CPD will examine the specific ways in which human behaviour is shaped by the social environment rather than individual agency and choice. It will explore what it means to be ‘rational’ and to what extent humans reach this threshold.

On successful completion of the CPD, students will be able to:

1. Understand the different mechanisms through which human behaviour is formed and can be explained.
2. Explain the bases of cooperation between unrelated people and group solidarity.
3. Be able to identify biases in human cognition and reasoning.
4. Critically assess different models of human rationality and choice.

What topics will you cover?

The CPD examines studies from the social sciences, psychology and neuroscience which explain the interplay of forces which explain human behaviours. It will examine the mechanisms through which the environment, and particularly the social environment, shapes human behaviour. It will provide participants with an analytical framework and a set of concepts that can be used to understand and explain human behaviour in the context of groups. In addition to providing a background to the main theoretical models and empirical case studies, it will also examine the different analytical and quantitative tools used in behavioural science. It will examine the varieties of experimental techniques, both artificial and natural, as well as panel methods for repeated observational data.

Who is this course for?

The target learner cohort are participants working in the private sector, for example ITC, finance, banking sectors who wish to understand human behaviour in organisations and other social groups. Participants should also have access to a laptop with camera and a microphone.

Who teaches the course?

Department of Sociology, School of Social Sciences and Philosophy, Trinity College Dublin.

How is the course delivered?

The CPD will be delivered in two different modes for two different intakes of participants at different times of the year:

1. The CPD will be delivered over 5 consecutive weeks with one 5-hour session each week (1 day X 5 weeks X 5 hours). This will be preceded by 2 hours of preparatory online instruction. Additionally participants will undertake 20 hours of self study over the course of the programme and complete a combination of in-class and 1 take home exercise. One additional week will be included for submitting CPD exercises. In order to be awarded the Certificate of Completion in Applied Behavioural Science participants will need to have completed all required CPD exercises.

2. The CPD will be delivered through a week-long, intensive programme (5 days X 5 hours) in Trinity College. This will be preceded by 2 hours preparatory online instruction. Additionally participants will undertake 20 hours self study over the course of the intensive programme and complete a combination of in class and 1 take home exercise. One additional week will be included for submitting CPD exercises. In order to be awarded the Certificate of Completion in Applied Behavioural Science participants will need to have completed all required CPD exercises.

Start / End Dates

Mode 1 Start 14 March 2022 - End 18 April 2022

Mode 2 Start 22 August 2022 - End 2 September 2022