Rule Following as a Generalized Operant

Rule Following as a Generalized Operant

Rule Following as an Operant Behavior

If rule following is an operant behavior, individuals are more likely to follow rules if they receive reinforcement. This reinforcement can be provided by a rule-giver (pliance) or derived from natural contingencies (tracking). The question then arises: Why do individuals follow new rules, especially if they haven't encountered the rule before or received reinforcement for it?

Generalized Operant

Rule following can be understood as a generalized operant. Reinforcement for following one rule increases the likelihood of following other rules in general. This is interesting because the specific behaviors and rules can vary greatly. The topography, or form, of behavior for different rules will be different. We follow rules because we have a history of reinforcement for behavior that corresponds with rules.

Generalization Based on Topographical Features vs. Multiple Exemplar Training

Generalization typically involves contingencies that apply to a class of behaviors, rather than a single instance. Rule-governed behavior encompasses a wide range of behaviors related to following various rules. Multiple exemplar training rather than physical similarity is key to this generalization. For instance, rules about tennis serves might be physically similar to rules about hitting the ball into the net. However, because rule following is a generalized operant, generalization can extend to dissimilar activities like baking a cake or avoiding a car. Thus, rule following generalizes not just to similar rules, but to all rules in general

Multiple Exemplar Training

Multiple exemplar training is how we learn this broad rule following. Imagine a child being given the rule, "If you help with the dishes, you can have pudding." Doing the dishes (behavior) corresponds with the rule, resulting in pudding (reinforcement). This increases the likelihood of the child doing dishes when that rule is presented.

As children grow and develop language skills, they encounter many rules. These rules which occur continuously throughout the day, describe the consequences of specific behaviors:

  • "Keep your coat on so you can stay outside."

  • "Play nicely with your brother, or I'm going to tell you off."

  • "If you put the Lego together like this, you can make a house."

  • "Eat this fruit, it's really yummy."

  • "Go and hug your grandmother."

  • "Don't spill that on the ground."

  • "Be careful, or you'll hurt yourself."

Initially, reinforcement (staying warm, getting pudding, or avoiding being told off) increases the likelihood of performing those specific behaviors. However, with enough examples, these rules coalesce into a behavioral class. Individuals learn to align their behavior with new rules because they have been frequently reinforced for doing so. Eventually, performing a behavior corresponding to a rule becomes its own class of behavior. Reinforcement for following any new rule strengthens this overall class.

Other Generalized Operants

Other generalized operants include:

  • Stimulus equivalence

  • Imitation

  • Categorization

  • Concept formation

Example: Baking Biscuits

If rule following were a simple, non-generalized operant, reinforcement for following a biscuit recipe (resulting in delicious biscuits) would only increase the likelihood of following that specific recipe in the future. Maybe leading to the following of similar recipes. However, because rule following is a generalized operant, reinforcement would extend beyond that particular recipe to all types of rules. This includes written instructions, directions, advice, and information heard on the radio.

Advantages and Discriminated Operant

Rule following's generalized nature allows for a broad repertoire of following diverse rules, which aids in adapting to new contexts. If reinforcement for one rule increases the likelihood of following all rules, individuals are more likely to adhere to signs, instructions, advice, and directions.

Despite being a generalized operant, rule following is also a discriminated operant. Individuals learn to recognize cues indicating a rule's potential inaccuracy. For example, people are less likely to follow inaccurate rules or rules from someone known to be a liar, untrustworthy, unreliable, or self-serving. For instance, the presenter follows advice from reliable colleagues Tasha and Sam regarding teaching-related matters.

Rule following is an operant; as such, it includes a three-term contingency, including stimulus control (discriminative stimuli). Which means that individuals don't just automatically follow every instruction, especially the outlandish or untrustworthy ones.

Self-Generated Rules

Individuals can also create their own rules by verbalizing discovered contingencies:

  • "If I jiggle my key like this, the door opens."

  • "If I take the motorway, I'll get there more quickly."

  • "If I straighten my back, I'm gonna make this golf shot more easily."

Thus, individuals can respond to, give, and create rules for themselves.

Advantages of Rules

Rules have advantages:

  • They facilitate the performance of new behaviors.

  • They facilitate behaviors that have valuable but delayed or improbable consequences.

Saving for a distant trip, for example, involves delayed gratification. Without the rule (save xx per week for two years to get yy), it's unlikely someone would save consistently. Similarly, relying solely on contingency-shaped behavior for driving could result in speeding. However, following the rule "Don't speed" avoids the rare but dangerous consequence of crashing.

Benefits for Clients

For clients, especially children, rules created by others help access delayed consequences. Parents or caregivers can create immediate consequences (e.g., watching TV after homework) to help children achieve long-term goals (e.g., finishing school and getting a better job).