Behavior
Also called: response, dead man's test
Definition
Anything a living organism does that involves movement or a change in the relationship between the organism and its environment, including private events. The usual working test is that a dead person could not do it: "sitting quietly" or "not hitting" fail that test and describe the absence of behavior rather than behavior.
In plain language
Anything a person does. If a dead person could do it, like "staying still," it is not behavior.
Examples
A learner raises a hand, says a word, or walks to the door.
Thinking through a plan before acting is behavior too, though private.
Not behavior
"Being calm" or "not screaming." These describe the absence of a response and cannot be measured as behavior on their own.
See also
Written from
- johnston-pennypacker-2020
- skinner-1953
Written from Johnston, Pennypacker and Green (2020) and Skinner (1953). No textbook glossary consulted.
This entry has not yet been through clinical review. Treat it as a draft.