Behavioral scientist (Gedragskundige)

Information on this skill...

Team Mijnzzp

A behavioral scientist specializes in treating clients who are dealing with behavioral problems. A behavioural expert is in many cases a psychologist or remedial pedagogue, who has specialised in behavioural science. The most important activities of a behavioural expert are examining and observing clients, advising supervisors and possibly advising family members. A behavioural expert examines and observes clients by applying diagnostic research and observation methods. It is also conceivable that a behavioral science is a teacher and that he or she conducts research related to behavioral science. Behavioral science is a broad concept, which in short means understanding behavior and changing behavior. Within the behavioral sciences, the fields of psychology, pedagogy, criminology and communication science belong. The substantive work of a behavioural expert is aimed at influencing the behaviour of clients in a positive way, so that clients can ultimately participate normally in society. The goal and substantive work of a behavioral expert may differ per client, but in all cases it comes down to reducing behavioral problems, preventing behavioral problems or solving behavioral problems. As a behavioural expert, you may have to deal with different people, depending on the specific work and type of employer. The profession of behavioural scientist should generally be regarded as a profession at university level. This does not alter the fact that a behavioural expert can also have a suitable hbo education. It is not the case that social workers or other experience experts can simply be regarded as behavioural experts.

A behavioural expert is therefore briefly specialised in influencing behaviour in a positive way. It is not the case that a behavioural expert only works with offenders or with people who have a mental disorder because, for example, traffic victims or witnesses to a crime can also have to deal with a behavioural expert if they have had a traumatic experience. A behavioral scientist is also called a cognitive behavioral therapist. A cognitive impairment can be a temporary or permanent disorder. A temporary disorder is depression or, for example, anxiety attacks. A permanent disorder is dementia or, for example, a birth defect. Treating children or adults with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is also part of the duties of a behavioural expert or orthopedagogue. As a behavioural scientist, you are dealing with people who experience behavioural problems. In most cases, a behavioural expert also has to deal with other healthcare workers. Think, for example, of social workers, supervisors, nurses, psychologists and psychiatrists. It is usually the behavioral expert who will draw up the treatment plans, and it is the behavioral expert who ensures that the treatment plans are carried out.

HOW DOES A BEHAVIORAL SCIENTIST WORK

How exactly a behavioral expert works can differ per client, but a behavioral expert in general will try to make unwanted behaviors and emotions disappear or change them by stimulating the client, so that different behavior arises. A behavioural expert generally does not use punitive measures, but works with reward systems to change behaviour in a positive way. As described earlier, a behavioral expert is usually a psychologist or remedial pedagogue, who has a university degree. A behavioral scientist can therefore not simply be compared to a behavioral therapist. A behavioral therapist usually relates to therapists or coaches who have an appropriate hbo education. A pedagogue cannot be regarded as a behavioural expert either because an pedagogue specialises in education. Parenting is not specifically focused on behavior.

WHAT DOES A BEHAVIORAL SCIENTIST DO:

  • Observing behavior;
  • Influencing behavior;
  • Drawing up treatment plans;
  • Supervising care workers;
  • Understanding behavioral problems;
  • Recording all findings.

WHAT DOES A BEHAVIORAL SCIENTIST DO:

TRAINING TO BECOME A BEHAVIOURAL SCIENTIST

There are various suitable university studies to become a behavioural or behavioural therapist, such as the university study pedagogical sciences and the university study psychology. In addition, there are training opportunities at HBO level, such as the Hbo programme behavioural influencing and guidance. Obviously, a bachelor's degree cannot simply be compared to a university study because behavioural science is a science. See also the Association for Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Therapy for more information. Accounting is also important as an entrepreneur.

COMPANIES WHERE A BEHAVIOURAL SCIENTIST CAN BE EMPLOYED

A behavioural expert can work within different organisations. Think, for example, of addiction care, prisons, boarding schools, TBS clinics and mental health care. In addition, a behavioural expert can work as an entrepreneur within his own practice. In that case, you can also be active in special education, for example. In many cases, a behavioural expert has to deal with clients who have an intellectual disability.

COMPETENCES BEHAVIOURAL SCIENTIST

As a behavioural scientist, you are first and foremost a scientific researcher, and you will therefore have to have research skills. In addition, as a behavioural expert, you are an important confidant for clients, parents or carers. Communication should also be regarded as an important competence because influencing behaviour has everything to do with communication. In addition, you often work together with different colleagues. Generally important words are listening, coaching, ethics, inspiring, motivating, stimulating, patience and stress resistance. Finally, it is important to mention that as a behavioural expert, you must have insight. This mainly relates to being able to recognize and signal problematic behavioral problems.

LABOUR MARKET PERSPECTIVE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AS A BEHAVIOURAL SCIENTIST

The labour market perspective of a behavioural expert is generally good because behavioural therapy concerns a broad field of study, in which multiple employers are possible. The career opportunities of a behavioural expert must be seen in obtaining a managerial position or conducting scientific research. Obtaining a PhD is also possible if you have a university degree.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT AND SALARY BEHAVIOURAL SCIENTIST

There are no examples of specific employment conditions because you can work for various institutions and organisations as a behavioral expert. A behavioural scientist with a completed university degree will usually earn a salary between 3500 and 5800 euros gross per month, depending on age, years of service and specific responsibilities.

The content on this page has been automatically translated from the Dutch language. For this reason, texts and videos on this page may contain small errors.

Lesen Sie diese Informationen auf Verhaltensforscher auf Deutsch.

Lea esta información sobre Científico del comportamiento en español.

Lees deze informatie over Gedragskundige in het Nederlands.

Mijnzzp.nl