Of course, most of us would not want our learners to be exposed to the contingencies for not following the law. However, sometimes it may be necessary to let a learner who is NOT obeying a minor law/rules be exposed to the contingencies for his own good and everyone else. For example, getting a traffic ticket for crossing the street where there is not a legitimate crosswalk when you see a cop nearby. Paying such a fine may be an important exposure to a contingency as long as the learner’s safety was not compromised.
Shared by Skinner’s Quote of the Day and Burrhus Frederic Skinner via FB
“A person who is following directions, taking advice, heeding warnings, or obeying rules or laws does not behave precisely as one who has been directly exposed to the contingencies, because description of the contingencies is never complete or exact . . .” (p. 139)
