ABA Exam CoachLessons · B. Concepts and Principles
B.18 · Rule-governed vs. contingency-shaped
How did you learn not to touch a hot stove? Did somebody tell you, or did you find out the hard way? That one question is the whole difference between rule-governed and contingency-shaped behavior, and it's core to the test content outline.
Key takeaway
Contingency-shaped behavior is selected by direct contact with consequences over repeated experience. Rule-governed behavior is controlled by a verbal description of a contingency, like an instruction, advice, or a self-statement, so a person can act correctly before ever contacting the consequence. Rules help most when consequences are delayed, improbable, cumulative, or dangerous, but rule-followers can miss it when the real contingencies change.
Contingency-shaped behavior is selected by direct contact with consequences over repeated experience. Rule-governed behavior is controlled by a verbal description of a contingency, like an instruction, advice, or a self-statement, so a person can act correctly before ever contacting the consequence. Rules help most when consequences are delayed, improbable, cumulative, or dangerous, but rule-followers can miss it when the real contingencies change.
Members get the full lesson video, notes and a 5-question test
The video walks through the idea, worked examples, the trap people fall into and an exam-style question. The notes and the checkpoint come with it, and your results feed your Where to focus plan.