Target Behavior Considerations

[@schoolstuff6741]

For your example of kayaking, needing to swim first. Would a behavior cusp be swimming, and pivotal bx be kayaking?

[@PsychCore]

+School Stuff I hated that example as I gave it. It wasn't good. The reason is that swimming does not really even relate to kayaking. It SHOULD but it doesn't have to. Swimming basically is a cusp for other social behaviors that involve... swimming. Lol. I apologize - ignore that part. We will do another one on cusps, pivotals, etc soon. - Ryan

[@sharonesafia9161]

hey Ryan. you mentioned that target behaviors have to be prioritized and you mentioned that one aspect of that is to make sure that the behavior will increase the amount of reinforcement in that persons overall world. can you please explain why that is so important.

[@PsychCore]

Believe it or not that question is challenging to answer well. Basically the issue is that we don’t want to decrease someone’s quality of life. So ethically we are to focus on socially significant behaviors. We then increase those behaviors to improve quality of life. In a more tangible sense we help reduce chances of depression by giving the person value for their actions (maintaining a certain level of reinforcement). That is not to say that depression is simply a lack of reinforcement, but it certainly contributes. There’s no one set of target behaviors that are important for all. They are influenced by past experience, genetics, culture, and immediate environment. I think I’m done rambling now!

[@sharonesafia9161]

Thanks so much for your clear and concise answer!! one more thing that you said was that another consideration for the target behavior is, will changing that behavior produce reinforcement for other people. Can you please explain why this is also an important factor?

[@PsychCore]

You’re welcome! Well the answer to that question is exactly the same as the first question. We don’t live in a vacuum - our actions interact with and have an effect on others’ actions. Socially then, it’s important to select for behaviors that reinforce others behaviors. Think of the “pay it forward “ phrase as an example. :)

[@sharonesafia9161]

understood!! thank you!!