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1

Conceptual WorkshowHow to use The Contingency-

Diagramming Checklist•Version 1.0 (Original paper based): Lori Johnson and Janet Emmendorfer•Version 2.0 (Computer-based): Jason Otto•Version 2.1: Jason Otto, Moira McGlynn and Mitch Fryling•Version 2.2: Eduardo Osorio, Conny Raaymakers, Morgan Reynolds, and Greg Partlo57 Questions between two parts. Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to complete the two parts.

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2

Conceptual WorkshowHow to use The Contingency-

Diagramming Checklist

Do you hear music? You should, so check your volume or, if you’re at the University lab, you’ll need to use headphones.

3

Behaver Test

Specific-Behavior Test

Action Test

Dead-man Test

Receiver Test

Compare & Contrast

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Questions 2-5

Questions 19-23

Questions 15-18

Questions 11-14

Questions 6-10

Mini-lecture

Continue

4

As you enter the world of behavior As you enter the world of behavior analysis, analysis,

you’ll see that not all examplesyou’ll see that not all examples of our interactions with the world of our interactions with the world

and people and people are quite as simple as they may are quite as simple as they may

look.look.

5

To help you along the way, To help you along the way, we’ve designed a job aid we’ve designed a job aid (The Contingency-(The Contingency-

Diagramming Checklist) Diagramming Checklist) of all the concepts and of all the concepts and

general rules you need to general rules you need to keep in mind keep in mind

while analyzing and while analyzing and creating behavioral creating behavioral contingencies.contingencies.

7

You can come up with really interesting

analyses of human and animal behavior

You could impress your teacher and

hopefully even make your buddies in class

laugh.

Or they’ll think hard about your example’s

heavy-duty intellectuality.

But before you’re done with each

example, you’ll make sure that it passes all

10 tests.

We call the job aid with the 10 tests the

Pink Sheet.

And it saves many lost contingencies that need saving.

Sometimes you’ll be able to view the pink sheet by clicking a button like this, but it’s better to have the

paper version out too.

Click me if you want to see the Pink

Sheet

LET’S BEGIN! Click the pink sheet button to advance

8

9

Behaver Test:Behaver Test:Is the behavior in the Is the behavior in the

behavior box performed behavior box performed by the person who you by the person who you

are analyzing?are analyzing?

10

We have the We have the problem, problem, “How can we “How can we get Bobby get Bobby Brat to Brat to study?”study?”

As all good As all good Behavior Behavior Analysts, we Analysts, we find what find what can be a can be a reinforcer for reinforcer for Bobby.Bobby.

11

For most people, For most people, attention is a attention is a powerful powerful reinforcer.reinforcer.

And attention is a And attention is a powerful powerful reinforcer for reinforcer for Bobby, too.Bobby, too.

12

Before Behavior

The teacher gives Bobby

attention

AfterBobby

receivesattention

Bobbyreceives noattention

We can give Bobby attention We can give Bobby attention contingent on his studying.contingent on his studying.Let’s try to analyze Bobby’s behavior Let’s try to analyze Bobby’s behavior with the contingency diagramwith the contingency diagram

13

Wait! This isn’t BobbyWait! This isn’t Bobby

Before Behavior


attention

After

Bobbyreceivesattention


the person whose behavior we’re the person whose behavior we’re analyzing.analyzing.

14

Before Behavior


attention

After

So we redo the example to make sure So we redo the example to make sure we analyze Bobby’s behavior.we analyze Bobby’s behavior.


Bobbyreceives noattention Bobby

studies

15

Before Behavior After

Immediately before his behavior, he has no attention (the teacher isn’t saying anything to him).

Bobbystudies

Bobby begins a worksheet.

Immediately after his studying, the teacher gives him attention.



16

So how did we follow the Pink Sheet? A. Whose behavior are you analyzing? _________________________1Behaver Test

Is the behavior in the behavior box performed by the person who you are analyzing? If not, redo the example.


Bobby is the Behaver

Bobby’s

Bobbystudies Bobby

receivesattention


17

A. Whose behavior are you analyzing? _________________________1Behaver Test



Let’s take another look at the contingency on Bobby’s behavior.

Bobbystudies


Bobby’s



18



Before Behavior AfterBobbystudies

Bobby begins studying.


Bobby’s

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The teacher sees this and gives him some attention.





Bobby’s


And you can bet that attention is a reinforcer for Bobby’s studying.

20





Bobby’s



If the behavior caused If the behavior caused the teacher to give him the teacher to give him attention, then he must attention, then he must not have had it before.not have had it before.

21




Bobbystudies


Bobby’s



Be sure to Be sure to distinguish distinguish between BEHAVER between BEHAVER and BEHAVIOR.and BEHAVIOR.

The BEHAVER is the The BEHAVER is the person who is person who is responding and responding and BEHAVIOR is what he is BEHAVIOR is what he is doing.doing.

22

Bobby Brat is at his Bobby Brat is at his desk when he sees a desk when he sees a perfect opportunity to perfect opportunity to shoot a spit ball at shoot a spit ball at Susie in front of him.Susie in front of him.

He shoots spit balls He shoots spit balls because her because her reaction is mucho reaction is mucho attention for him. attention for him. What’s the What’s the contingency on contingency on Bobby’s behavior?Bobby’s behavior?

23

A. YesB. No

Does this contingency diagram pass the behaver Does this contingency diagram pass the behaver test?test?


Susie yells Bobbyreceivesattention



Sheet

Click me if you want to see the story

again

25


Bobby receives attention

Susie yells

A. YesB. No




Sheet

Incorrect, you should check

the pink sheet.


again

26

A. YesB. Correct, we’re interested in Bobby’s behavior.


Bobby receives attention


Susie yells


27A. Bobby shoots a spit ballB. Susie gets hit by a spit ball

So how would you fix it?So how would you fix it?


? Bobbyreceivesattention



again


So how would you fix it?


? Bobbyreceivesattention


Incorrect, you should have Bobby in the Behavior box.


again


So how would you fix it?


Bobbyshoots

a spit ball



Correct, Bobby is the person whose behavior we are analyzing, so his name should be in the behavior box

30A. YesB. No

We want to analyze Susie’s behavior. Is there something wrong with this contingency diagram?

Before

Susie has no attention

Behavior

Bobby smiles at

Susie

After

Susie has attention

Susie says, “You’re a brat Bobby!” Then Bobby gives her attention with a smile.

Click me if you want to see

the story again

31A. YesB. No


Before


Behavior

Bobby smiles at

Susie

After

Susie has attention


There is something wrong. Read the Behaver test on the Pink

Sheet.

32A. YesB. No


Before


Behavior

Bobby smiles at

Susie

After

Susie has attention


That’s right. This diagram is incorrect.

33A. Bobby’sB. Susie’s

We want to analyze Susie’s behavior. Whose behavior should be in the Behavior box?

Before


Behavior

Bobby smiles at

Susie

After

Susie has attention




Before


Behavior

Bobby smiles at

Susie

After

Susie has attention


For now, we are just analyzing Susie’s behavior.



Before


Behavior

Bobby smiles at

Susie

After

Susie has attention


Cool.

37

Before


Behavior After

Susie has attention

Susie says, “You’re a

brat Bobby!”

Here’s the correct Here’s the correct contingency: contingency:

38

It’s important to It’s important to make sure that make sure that the behavior of the behavior of the behaver is in the behaver is in the behavior the behavior box ! box ! You’re on your You’re on your way to way to becoming an becoming an expert expert behavior behavior analyst!analyst!

GOOD JOB!GOOD JOB!

40

Receiver Test:Receiver Test:Is the behaver the Is the behaver the

receiver of the outcome receiver of the outcome (the after condition)?(the after condition)?

41

Let’s take Let’s take a further a further look at look at Bobby’s Bobby’s shooting shooting spit balls at spit balls at Susie. Susie.

42A. BobbyB. Susie

Who receives the outcome (in the form of Susie yelling?)


Bobbyshoots

a spit ballBobby

receivesattention


43A. BobbyB. Susie

Who receives the outcome (in the form of Susie’s yelling)?

Before Behavior AfterBobbyshoots

a spit ballBobby

receivesattention

Bobbyreceives noattentionNo, Bobby receives

the attention in the form of Susie’s

yelling

44A. BobbyB. Susie

Who receives the outcome (in the form of Susie’s yelling)?


Bobbyshoots

a spit ball


Bobbyreceives noattention Yes, Bobby receives

the attention in the form of Susie’s

yelling.

This contingency passes the receiver test because Bobby

the behaver receives the

outcome.

45

Bobby is studying continuously at his desk.

The teacher looks up and sees Bobby studying and walks over to see how he’s doing (and give him the reinforcer of attention).

46

Before

Teacher doesn’t see

Bobby study

Behavior

Bobby studies

After

Teacher sees Bobby

study

A. YesB. No

Is the after condition correct?


Sheet

The after condition for The after condition for Bobby’s behavior Bobby’s behavior should be something should be something hehe receives. receives.

47

10. Receiver TestIs the behaver the receiver of theoutcome (after condition)?If not then rework the example.

Click me to go back to the Question

48

Before


Bobby study

Behavior

Bobby studies

After

Teacher sees Bobby

study

A. YesB. No



No, the teacher’s seeing Bobby

wasn’t the outcome Bobby

received.

49

Before


Bobby study

Behavior

Bobby studies

After

Teacher sees Bobby

study

A. YesB. No



Correct, the teacher’s seeing Bobby wasn’t the outcome Bobby

received.

50

Before


Bobby study

Behavior

Bobby studies

After

Teacher sees Bobby

study

So, the before So, the before conditioncondition

and the after condition and the after condition need to be analyzed need to be analyzed again.again.

51

Before


Bobby study

Behavior

Bobby studies

After

Teacher sees Bobby

study

A. The teacher gives Bobby attentionB. The teacher sees Bobby studyC. The teacher is happyD. The teacher likes Bobby


Sheet

What is the correct What is the correct after condition?after condition?

52

10. Receiver TestIs the behaver the receiver of theoutcome (after condition)?If not then rework the example.

Click me to go back to the Question

53

Before


Bobby study

Behavior

Bobby studies

After

Teacher sees Bobby

study



No, Bobby isn’t receiving anything with the description Teacher sees Bobby

study.Click me to see the Pink Sheet

54

Before


Bobby study

Behavior

Bobby studies

After

Teacher sees Bobby

study


Click me to see the Pink Sheet


No, Bobby isn’t receiving anything with the description Teacher is happy.

55

Before


Bobby study

Behavior

Bobby studies

After

Teacher sees Bobby

study




No, Bobby isn’t receiving anything with the description Teacher likes Bobby.

56

Before


Bobby study

Behavior

Bobby studies


After

Teacher sees Bobby

study


Yes, the teacher gives Bobby attention.

57

Before

Emily does not feel nice kiss

from Bobby

Behavior

Bobby kisses Emily

After

Emily feels nice kiss

from Bobby

Now, let’s analyze why Emily kisses Bobby. We figure the reinforcer for Emily’s behavior of kissing is the nice feeling when Bobby kisses back. Analyze Emily’s behavior.

A. YesB. No

Is this contingency correct?

58

Before


from Bobby

Behavior

Bobby kisses Emily

After


from Bobby


A. YesB. No

Is this contingency correct?Whose behavior should be in the behavior box

(whose behavior are we analyzing)?

59

Before


from Bobby

Behavior

Bobby kisses Emily

After


from Bobby


A. YesB. No

Is this contingency correct?Yes, this one fails the behaver test because Emily’s behavior

isn’t in the behavior box

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Before

Bobby does not feel nice kiss

from Emily

Behavior

Emily kisses Bobby

After

Bobby feels nice kiss

from Emily


A. YesB. No

Now we’ve switched all the boxes. Is it correct?

61

Before


from Emily

Behavior

Emily kisses Bobby

After


from Emily


A. YesB. No

Now we’ve switched all the boxes. Is it correct?

But Emily (the behaver) should

receive the outcome.

62

Before


from Emily

Behavior

Emily kisses Bobby

After


from Emily

We are trying to analyze why Emily kisses Bobby. We figure the reinforcer for Emily’s behavior of kissing is the nice feeling when Bobby kisses back. Analyze Emily’s behavior.

A. YesB. No

Now we’ve switched all the boxes. Is it correct?Yes, this one fails the receiver

test because Emily, the behaver, should receive the

outcome

63

BeforeEmily does

not feel nice kiss

from Bobby

Behavior

Emily kisses Bobby

AfterEmily

feels nice kiss from

Bobby

So here’s the correct contingency for Emily’s Behavior:

64

Dead-Man Dead-Man TestTest

Can a dead man do it? If Can a dead man do it? If he can then you haven’t he can then you haven’t

properly specified the properly specified the behavior (so roll over behavior (so roll over

the dead man)the dead man)

65

Dead-Man TestDead-Man Test

The trap of talking about non-The trap of talking about non-behavior is also easy to fall into behavior is also easy to fall into at first, at first,

but after a little practice, you’ll but after a little practice, you’ll know how to word your know how to word your examples so the subject is doing examples so the subject is doing something.something.

66

Some examples of non Some examples of non behaviors (behaviors behaviors (behaviors that fail the dead man that fail the dead man test) include:test) include:

• Wears Wears clothing/glassesclothing/glasses

• Doesn’t answerDoesn’t answer• Doesn’t do homeworkDoesn’t do homework• Any sentence that Any sentence that

begins with “doesn’t begins with “doesn’t ____” will probably fail ____” will probably fail the testthe test

• SitsSits

Some examples of Some examples of behaviors that behaviors that don’t fail the test don’t fail the test include:include:

• Puts on Puts on clothing/glassesclothing/glasses

• AnswersAnswers• ScreamsScreams• TalksTalks• Does homeworkDoes homework

67

Does this behavior pass the dead man Does this behavior pass the dead man test?test?


A. YesB. No

Behavior

Bobby does not listen

68



A. YesB. No

Behavior


Can a dead man not listen? So, if a dead

man can do it, it doesn’t pass the

test.

69



A. YesB. No

Behavior


Right on! A dead man is excellent at

not listening, therefore it fails the

dead man test.

70

How about this one? Does this behavior How about this one? Does this behavior pass the dead man test?pass the dead man test?


A. YesB. No

Behavior

Bobby answers a question

71



A. YesB. No

Behavior

Bobby answers a questionRight on! A dead

man can’t “answer a question” so it passes the test

72



A. YesB. No

Behavior

Bobby answers a questionCan a dead man

answer a question? If a dead man can not do it, then it passes the test.

73

Click the behavior that passes the Dead-Man Test

Before

Bobreceives

no approval

Behavior

B. Bob studies quietly

After

Bob receives approval

Before

Bobreceives

no approval

Behavior

A. Bob doesn’t interrupt

After


74


Before

Bobreceives

no approval

Behavior


After


Before

Bobreceives

no approval

Behavior

A. Bob doesn’t

interrupt

After


No, a dead man “doesn’t

interrupt”

75


Before

Bobreceives

no approval

Behavior


After


Before

Bobreceives

no approval

Behavior

A. Bob doesn’t interrupt

After


Right! A dead man can’t study

quietly. So it passes the test

76

A. YesB. No

Before

Johnny has no attention

from his teacher

Behavior

Johnny has a black eye

After

Johnny has attention from his teacher

Does this pass the dead-man test?

77

A. YesB. No

Before


from his teacher

Behavior


After



Careful! Having a black eye is not

behavior. It’s a stretch to think a dead man could have a black

eye, but the point is it’s not behavior

78

A. YesB. No

Before


from his teacher

Behavior


After



That’s right. Having a black eye is non behavior. It’s a

stretch, but a dead man could have a

black eye

80

Specific-Specific-Behavior Test:Behavior Test:Is it perfectly clear what Is it perfectly clear what action is involved in the action is involved in the

behavior?behavior?

81

Some examples that pass the test include:

•Answers a question•Reads a chapter•Raises his hand•Screams•Yells•cries

Some examples that fail the test include:

•Acts out•Is disruptive•Is lazy •Is shy•Is upset

82

Specific-BehaviorSpecific-Behavior TestTestRemember to be perfectly clear in your

examples.Before

Bobreceivespraise

Behavior

Bob is lazy

After

Bob receives no praise

Would everyone reading your example come to the same understanding of what this behavior consists of? Probably not…

83

Specific-Behavior TestSpecific-Behavior Test

Before

Bobreceivespraise

BehaviorBob is lazy

After


Bob sleepsat his desk

We’ll make the behavior perfectly clear.

If we changed “is lazy” to “sleeps at his desk”, we would get better agreement

about what Bobby is doing

84

“Sleeps at his desk” is perfectly clear because this statement specifies an actual, specific instance of behavior

Before

Bobreceivespraise

BehaviorBob is lazy

After


Bob sleepsat his desk

And, Bobby wouldn’t agree that he was lazy, but he might agree that he was

asleep at his desk!

85

When analyzing contingencies, try to envision exactly what the person is doing and write that in the behavior box.

It is very easy to use vague, potentially confusing descriptions of behavior.

87

Click on the behavior that passes the Click on the behavior that passes the Specific Behavior TestSpecific Behavior Test

Before

Bob does not

understand question 5

BehaviorA. The

teacher helps Bobby

After

Bob understands question 5

Before

Bob does not


BehaviorB. The

teacher tells Bobby to carry the

four

After



Sheet

88Click me if you want

to see the Pink Sheet

Before

Bob does not


BehaviorA. The

teacher helps Bobby

After


Before

Bob does not


BehaviorB. The


four

After


No, this isn’t specific enough, is she

telling him to add, subtract, multiply?

89Click me if you want


Before

Bob does not


BehaviorA. The

teacher helps Bobby

After


Before

Bob does not


BehaviorB. The


four

After


Right on!

90

Here’s another example.

Jennifer’s roommate, Sue, loves to borrow her clothes but often leaves them in a pile on the floor.

This really bothers Jennifer. Then one day, Jen yells at her, telling Sue she couldn’t borrow her clothes.

91

Sue quickly said she was sorry and picked up the clothes, and Jennifer immediately reinstated her borrowing privileges.

Before

Sue can’t borrow Jen’s

clothes

Behavior

?

After

Sue can borrow Jen’s

clothes

92

Before


clothes

Behavior After


clothes

A. Correct behaviorB. Fails behaver testC. Fails receiver testD. Fails dead-man test

Jen yells at

Sue


Sheet

Analyze Analyze Sue’sSue’s behavior to form a correct behavior to form a correct reinforcement contingency. Does “Jen yells at reinforcement contingency. Does “Jen yells at Sue” fail a Pink Sheet test?Sue” fail a Pink Sheet test? Click me to

read story again

94

Before


clothes

Behavior

Jen yells at Sue

After


clothes


No, remember we’re analyzing

Sue’s behavior not Jen’s

Analyze Analyze Sue’sSue’s behavior to form a correct behavior to form a correct reinforcement contingency. Does “Jen yells at reinforcement contingency. Does “Jen yells at Sue” fail a Pink Sheet test?Sue” fail a Pink Sheet test?

95


Before


clothes

Behavior

Jen yells at Sue

After


clothesYes, we should analyze Sue’s

behavior.


96


Before


clothes

Behavior

Jen yells at Sue

After


clothesNo, it passes the

receiver test because we are analyzing Sue’s behavior, so she should be the one to receive

the outcome.


97

A. Correct behaviorB. Fails behaver testC. Fails receiver test D. Fails dead-man test

Before


clothes

Behavior

Jen yells at Sue

After


clothesNo, it passes the dead man test

because a dead man can’t yell.


98

Before


clothes

Behavior

Sue is remorseful

After


clothes

A. Correct behaviorB. Fails specific-behavior testC. Fails dead-man testD. Fails receiver test Click me if you want


How about now? Does this How about now? Does this contingency fail any tests?contingency fail any tests?

100

Before


clothes

Behavior

Sue is remorseful

A. Correct behaviorB. Fails specific-behavior testC. Fails dead-man testD. Fails receiver test

After


clothes

No, probably too vague for two independent observers to agree on

the actual response. There are several ways someone can be

remorseful.


101

Before


clothesA. Correct behaviorB. Fails specific-behavior testC. Fails dead-man testD. Fails receiver test

Behavior

Sue is remorseful

After


clothesYes, remorseful fails the

specific behavior test because it isn’t clear

what Sue actually does or says.


102

Before


clothesA. Correct behaviorB. Fails specific-behavior testC. Fails dead-man testD. Fails receiver test

Behavior

Sue is remorseful

After



because a dead man can’t be remorseful.


103

Before


clothes

Behavior

Sue is remorseful

After


clothes

A. Correct behaviorB. Fails specific-behavior testC. Fails dead-man testD. Fails receiver test

No, it passes the receiver test because

we are analyzing Sue's behavior, and she is the

receiver of the outcome.


104

Before


clothes

Behavior

Sue says she’s sorry

After


clothes

A. Correct behaviorB. Fails receiver testC. Fails dead-man testD. Fails behaver test

How about this one?How about this one?


Sheet

105


Before


clothes

Behavior


After


clothesNo, it passes the test because we are

analyzing Sue’s behavior, and she is the receiver of the

outcome


106


Before


clothes

Behavior


After



because dead men can’t apologize.


107


Before


clothes

Behavior


After


clothesNo, it passes the behaver test

because we are analyzing Sue’s

behavior


108


Before


clothes

Behavior


After


clothes

Yes, this is the correct behavior: it passes the receiver test because Sue receives the

outcome, and it passes the dead-man test, because a dead-man

can’t apologize, and we are analyzing Sue’s behavior, so it

passes the behaver test!


109

Behaver Test


Action Test

Dead-man Test

Receiver Test

Compare & Contrast

This is the table of contents. If this is the first time doing this workshow, then you should just click on the continue button. But if this is review then you may choose where to go by left-clicking a test.

Mini-lecture

Continue

110

Action Test:Action Test:Does the behavior Does the behavior involve an action?involve an action?

111

Behaviors that fail the test include:

•Seeing•Hearing•Receiving•feeling

Behaviors that pass the test include:

•Looking•Listening•Working•Studying

112

In keeping with the dead-man test,

we want to make sure the behavior we are analyzing is something the person does,

not something that is done to the person—like was seen, is heard, is given, is appreciated, etc..

113

It is also worth noting that whenever a behavior fails the dead-man test, it will also fail the action test. Dead men aren’t active.

However, the reverse of that may not always apply; if a behavior fails the action test, it might still pass the dead-man test.

114

Bob is taught a lot fails the action test but because a dead man cannot be taught, it passes the dead-man test.

Before

Bob knows next to nothing

Behavior

Bob is taught a lot

After

Bob knows mucho

Here’s an example that shows the difference between the action test and the dead-man test.How about this response?Does it involve an action? Can a dead man

do it?

115

Before

Bob knows next to nothing

BehaviorBob is

taught a lot

After

Bob knows mucho

It may sound tricky, but we’re just pointing out a time-saver for you to use in your arsenal of behavior-analytic weapons.

Bob reviews his

flashcards

Reviews is better, as it passes the action test too.

116

So you may have a verb in the So you may have a verb in the behavior box, and you may behavior box, and you may think it’s fine. Which of these think it’s fine. Which of these descriptions involving a verb descriptions involving a verb does not describe an action?does not describe an action?

Think carefully about this one. Think carefully about this one.

Some of these can be tricky. For Some of these can be tricky. For instance, looking involves an instance, looking involves an action and seeing doesn’t.action and seeing doesn’t.

A. He is talkingB. She was lookingC. She feels goodD. He says, “hi”

Reminder: An action is not a state of being.

117


Talking is an action.


118


Looking involves an action—though seeing doesn’t.


119


Says involves an action.


120


Right! Feels does not involve an

action.


121

• Let’s try one more Let’s try one more example.example.

122

Tommy and his mother are driving down Tommy and his mother are driving down Stadium, Stadium,

and Tommy sees the donut shop.and Tommy sees the donut shop.

123

He starts screeching, “Donuts, He starts screeching, “Donuts, Mommy! Donuts!” Mommy! Donuts!”

and doesn’t stop screaming until he and doesn’t stop screaming until he has a donut in his hand.has a donut in his hand.

124

Before

Tommy screeches

A. Correct contingencyB. Fails behaver testC. Fails action testD. Fails dead-man test

Behavior

Mom drives into the lot

After

Tommy receives a

donut


Sheet

Analyze Tommy’s screeching

126

Before

Tommy screeches


Behavior


After

Tommy receives a

donut


No, whose behavior are we

analyzing?

127

Before

Tommy screeches


Behavior


After

Tommy receives a

donut


That’s right! We are analyzing Tommy’s

behavior, so he should be in the behavior box.

128

Before

Tommy screeches


Behavior


After

Tommy receives a

donut


No. Drives into the lot involves an

action

129

Before

Tommy screeches


Behavior


After

Tommy receives a

donut


No. It passes the dead man test because

dead men can’t drive.

130

Before

Tommy has no donuts

A. Correct contingencyB. Fails action testC. Fails behaver testD. Fails receiver test

Behavior

Tommy is driven into

the lot

After

Tommy has donuts


Sheet

How about this contingency?How about this contingency?

132

Before

Tommy has no donuts

Behavior


the lot

After

Tommy has donuts


No, what is Tommy doing?

How about this contingency?

133

Before

Tommy has no donuts

Behavior


the lot

After

Tommy has donuts


Right! Tommy is not performing an action, rather it’s being done to him. This passes the receiver test

because Tommy receives the donuts, and he’s the person who’s

behavior we are analyzing, so it passes the behaver test too.

Passive voice, like is driven is a red flag for failing the action test.

Use active voice, like Tommy looks, eats…


134

Before

Tommy has no donuts

Behavior


the lot

After

Tommy has donuts

A. Correct contingencyB. Fails action test C. Fails behaver testD. Fails receiver test

No, Tommy is the behaver.


135

Before

Tommy has no donuts

Behavior


the lot

After

Tommy has donuts

A. Correct contingencyB. Fails action testC. Fails behaver test D. Fails receiver test

No, Tommy, the behaver,

receives the donuts.


136

Before

Tommy has no donuts

A. Correct contingencyB. Fails receiver testC. Fails dead-man testD. Fails specific-behavior test

Behavior

Tommy screeches

After

Tommy has donuts


Sheet

138

Before

Tommy has no donuts

Behavior

Tommy screeches

After

Tommy has donuts


No, Tommy, the behaver,

receives the donuts.

139

Before

Tommy has no donuts

Behavior

Tommy screeches

After

Tommy has donuts


No, a dead man cannot screech so it passes the dead

man test.

140

Before

Tommy has no donuts

Behavior

Tommy screeches

After

Tommy has donuts


No, “screeches” is specific enough

for two independent observers to

agree

141

Before

Tommy has no donuts

Behavior

Tommy screeches

After

Tommy has donuts


Yes, this contingency passes all the criteria on the Pink Sheet: a dead man can’t screech, Tommy the behaver receives the donuts, and screeches is specific enough

for independent observers to agree.

142

A. Spot gets a biscuitB. Spot receives a biscuitC. Spot runs into the kitchenD. Spot hears the bag crinkle

Before

Spot has no dog biscuit

Behavior

?After

Spot has dog biscuit

Whenever Spot hears the bag of biscuits Whenever Spot hears the bag of biscuits crinkle in the kitchen, he runs in and crinkle in the kitchen, he runs in and immediately receives one. Analyze Spot’s immediately receives one. Analyze Spot’s behavior.behavior.

143

Before


Behavior

?After


Whenever Spot hears the bag of biscuits Whenever Spot hears the bag of biscuits crinkle in the kitchen, he runs in and crinkle in the kitchen, he runs in and immediately receives one. Analyze immediately receives one. Analyze Spot’s behavior.Spot’s behavior.


“Gets” is passive, so it

fails the action test, but also probably fails the specific

behavior test.

144

Before


Behavior

?After




“Receives” is passive, so it

fails the action test, but also probably fails the specific

behavior test.

145

Before


Behavior

?After




“Hears” is one of those passive

behaviors specified on

the Pink Sheet. It’s not active.

146

Before


Behavior

?After




Cool. “Runs” is active and specific.

These other answers don’t involve action

or aren’t specific.

147

Compare and Contrast:Compare and Contrast:

Specific BehaviorSpecific BehaviorVs.Vs.

Action testAction test

148

Personal attributes or characteristics are mistaken for behavior. For example,

“Tom is lazy,” “Tom is dishonest,” or “Tom is

intelligent.”

149

The problem is that “lazy,” “dishonest,” and “intelligent” are too vague; they’re not specific enough, so they fail the specific-behavior test.

Also, they may fail the action test

in that the verb is isn’t an action verb.

(As our man, Bill Clinton, put it, “It depends on what your definition of is is.”)

150

Now, you can get around the action problem

by restating our examples like this: “Tom acts lazy, dishonestly, and

intelligently.” And “acts” is an action verb. But this workaround still doesn’t

pass the specific-behavior test.

151

You’re still going to get a lot of disagreement about what “lazy” means.

Does it mean the person doesn’t pick up her clothes and put them away, when she gets ready for bed;

or does it mean she hasn’t had a job for the last two years?

152

Adjectives and adverbs are often risky;

They’re often too vague to get

reliable agreement among independent observers.

153

The specific-behavior test is an effort to get rid of vagueness.

Statements that fail this test

are often in the form of attempts to specify personal attributes or characteristics.

154

Behaver Test


Action Test

Dead-man Test

Receiver Test

Compare & Contrast

You are now ready to move on to Part II. Click on the arrow to move on to the 2nd part of this show, or if you would like to review,

click on one of the tests.

Mini-lecture