Behavior vs. Non-Behavior

Behavior Must Be Observable and Measurable

• Behavior needs to be observable and measurable to be considered behavior.
• The absence of behavior cannot be measured; only the occurrence of behavior can be measured.
• Examples of non-behaviors include non-compliance and inattentiveness.

The Dead Man's Test

• A tool to determine if something is a behavior.
• The Test: If a dead man can do it, it's not behavior. If a dead man can't do it, it is behavior.

Examples of the Dead Man's Test

• Staying Still: A dead man can stay still, so it's not a behavior.
• Ignoring a Demand: A dead man can ignore a demand, so it's not a behavior.
• Looking Towards Me: A dead man can't do this, so it is a behavior.
• Putting Your Arms Up When Told: A dead man can't do this, so it is a behavior.

Things That Are Not Behavior

• A label or a description of something.
• A state of being (e.g., being anxious or cold).
• A feeling (e.g., being happy, sad, or excited).

Focus on Observable Behaviors

• Avoid focusing on unseen behaviors or private events.
• Describe behavior based on physical forms or how it presents itself.

Examples: Behavior vs. Non-Behavior

• Happiness: Not a behavior, but behaviors that show evidence of happiness include smiling or laughing.
• Sadness: Not a behavior, but crying is a behavior that shows evidence of sadness.
• Opening a Present: A behavior.
• Having a Present: Not a behavior.
• Tinting your Body: A behavior showing physical evidence of being scared.
• Feeling Scared: Not a behavior.
• Being Cold: Not a behavior.
• Shivering: A behavior.
• Noncompliance: Describes the absence of behavior.
• Walking Away From a Task: Describes an observed physical behavior.