Speed Solutions: Behavioural Psychology students pitch fixes to major world issues​

Could the clinical methods used to treat behavioural problems in individuals be used to solve complex world issues? A group of fourth-year students from St. Lawrence College’s Honours Bachelor of Behavioural Psychology degree program will demonstrate how at an event on Thursday, April 11. 

The fast-paced event will be similar to speed dating; teams of students will “pitch” their solutions to their audience of invited guests, illustrating how behavioural analysis methods they’ve learned could tackle major problems such as obesity, child marriages, homelessness, opioid addiction, and trophy hunting. Guests include: Kingston’s Deputy Mayor, Wayne Hill; local historian, Arthur Milnes; and director of the Partners in Mission Food Bank, Sandy Berg.

The guests will visit each display and hear the solution pitch while pretending to be philanthropists, members of the World Health Organization, or Amnesty International representatives who wish to invest in a strategy to help solve a major world issue.

Each student will have five minutes to pitch why their global challenge is the most important and how they plan to use applied behaviour analysis to solve this complex issue. Once the whistle blows the guest must move on to a new student. Two winners will be chosen.

“We know that Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) is an effective way to treat complex issues in individuals. Using the principles of ABA to solve international issues allows students to expand their critical thinking skills to a global level, enhancing their learning and perspective,” said Pamela Shea, a professor in the Honours Bachelor of Behavioural Psychology program.

Event Information

Thursday, April 11
1pm – 3pm
Innovation Hub, St. Lawrence College, Kingston campus
100 Portsmouth Ave.

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