Rule-Governed Behavior
Also called: verbally governed behavior, instruction following
Definition
Behavior controlled by a verbal description of a contingency — a rule, instruction or self-statement — rather than by direct contact with the consequences the rule describes. It lets people act on consequences that are delayed, improbable or dangerous to contact, and it can also persist when the rule is wrong or the contingency has changed.
In plain language
Doing something because of a rule or instruction, not because you have experienced the result yourself. It is fast to learn but can be hard to update.
Example
A new technician wears gloves for a procedure because the policy says to, before ever seeing what happens without them.
Not rule-governed behavior
A child learns which drawer sticks by pulling on drawers. No rule is involved; the behavior was shaped by its consequences.
Commonly confused with
See also
Written from
- skinner-1974
Written from Skinner (1974) on rule-governed behavior. No textbook glossary consulted.
This entry has not yet been through clinical review. Treat it as a draft.