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Identifying Behavior

Classification of Verbs as Observable or Not

Operationalizations of "Behavior"

A person who is unfamiliar with the subject or target behavior, can "see" the behavior from the description well enough to enact it accurately.
The behavior as described can be counted (or measured) by two independent observers and their count will agree, both in when the behavior occurs and when the behavior does not occur. In other words, people with divergent points of view can agree without consulting one another that the behavior occurred (or didn't occur) and when it occurred.
It is not possible to break the target behavior into subcomponents that are more specific and observable than the original.
Behavior generally takes place over time. Change is observable.

Assuming animation is enabled you can see this ballerina moving about. Ballet experts could give a precise label for each movement. I have to say she is twirling, bending her knees and twirling again.

Here you can see the person's mouth dropping open, his eyes widening, his hair standing on end and his arms straightening with his fingers spreading. Those are observable behaviors.

It is an inference, not a behavior, to say he is "feeling shock or surprise." Surprise is an internal experience that cannot be objectively corroborated and is a label that different individuals impose in various ways. Maybe I paid the little cartoon guy a sum of money to act surprised and he is really quite calm.

Emotional inferences are common because it is easier to take a guess than it is to detail all the component behaviors. Emotion words are summary words. Forgetting that leads to problems in communication and in altering behavior.

In this one you can see the persons head and eyes moving from one page to the other (behavior), but you cannot see if he is reading (without clarification is not a behavior).

Classification of Verbs as Observable or Not

Directly Observable	to draw, press a lever, point to, walk, underline, write, color, lift, say, chew, blink, bark,
Not Observable	to conclude, feel, want, think, concentrate, be aware, apply, appreciate, wonder, analyze, solve, test, learn, understand, know, like
Require elaboration or clarification to be observable	to measure, play, give, finish, see, demonstrate, find, subtract, make, read, perform, complete, identify, borrow, change

Types of Behavior

This is one way to categorize behaviors. Any particular behavior may have aspects fitting in several categories.

Behavior	Description	Examples
Appropriate	Achieves necessary and desired goals without infringing on the rights and needs of others. Includes appropriate emotional responses.	Maintains healthy eating habits; Obtains satisfaction for a service problem without demeaning others.
Deficit	Lacks skill or knowledge needed for performing the behavior	Ignorant about effects of caffeine on health; Being illiterate or innumerate; passive responding in social situations
Excess	Too much of a behavior	Drinking until passed out. Overeating. Smoking.
Other Inappropriate	The behavior occurs at a time or place that is inappropriate. If it occurred under other circumstances the behavior would be acceptable.	Bed-wetting; exhibitionism
Maladaptive Emotional	Capable of performing but has a stronger than typical autonomic system reaction, most often is fears and anxieties.	Shyness; Test Anxiety

References

These materials were adapted from a variety of sources, including:

Verbs: Alberto, P. & Troutman, A. (1999). Applied Behavior Analysis for Teachers. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

Types of Behavior: Krumboltz, J. & Thorensen, C. (1976). Counseling Methods. NY: Holt.

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For My Students | Admin/Research | Psychology | WKU

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Website created: June 1996. Page Created: September 7, 1998. Last Modified: August 12, 2014.