Activator-behavior-consequence

The ABC (activator-behavior-consequence) contingency is illustrated in Figure 7.5. The dog will move if he expects to receive food after hearing the sound of the can opener. In other words, the direction provided by an activator is likely to be followed when it is backed by a consequence that is soon, certain, and significant. Tliis is operant conditioning. 

In Chapter 9,1 showed how the Activator-Behavior-Consequence (ABC) model can be used to diagnose the contributing factors to an incident or at-risk behavior and to decide on a plan for corrective action. With this chapter, we begin our discussion of intervention design and implementation to improve safety-related behavior. As such, the ABC model is used as introduced in Chapter 8—-as a framework for designing behavior-change interventions. 

The prior two chapters discussed guidelines for developing behavior change interventions. Chapter 10 focused on tire use of activators to direct behavior change. Chapter 11 detailed the motivating role of consequences. Several examples employed both activators and consequences. This is applying the tirree-term contingency (activator-behavior-consequence) and is usually the most influential approach. 

Figure 15.2 illustrates how person factors interact wdth the basic activator-behavior-consequence model of behavior-based psychology (adapted from Kreitner, 1982). As detailed earlier, activators direct behavior (Chapter 10) and consequences motivate behavior (Chapter 11). However, as shown in Figure 15.2, these events are first filtered through the person. 

One of the most frequent common-sense mistakes in safety management is the use of outcome-based incentive programs. Giving rewards for avoiding an injury seems reasonable and logical, but it readily leads to covering up minor injuries and a distorted picture of safety performance. The basic activator-behavior-consequence contingency (see Chapter 8 and Principle 18) demonstrates that safety incentives need to focus on process activities, or safety-related behaviors. 

Kramer MS, Cutler N, Feighner J, Shrivastava R, Carman J, Sramek JJ, Reines SA, Liu G, Snovely D, Wyatt-Knowles E, Hale JJ, Mills SG, MacCoss M, Swain CJ, Harrison T, HiU RG, Hefti F, Scolnick EM, Cascieri MA, Chicchi GG, Sadowski S, Williams AR, Hewson L, Smith D, Rupniak NMJ (1998) Distinct mechanism for antidepressant activity by blockade of central substance P receptors. Science 281 1640-1645 Landgraf R (1995) Intracerebrally released vasopressin and oxytocin measurement, mechanisms and behavioral consequences. J Neuroendocrinol 7 243-253 Landgraf R, Neumann I (2004) Vasopressin and oxytocin release within the brain a dynamic concept of multiple and variable modes of neuropeptide communication. Front Neuroendocrinol 25 150-176... 

Activity Coefficient a The efficient removal of volatile substances during edible oil deodorization depends not only on their vapor pressure but also on their concentration in the oil. The theoretical principle of the deodorization process has already been described in many publications (2-4). All calculations start from the basic laws of Raoult and Dalton, which are valid for ideal mixtures. However, in practice, the mixture of a fatty acid and a vegetable oil has a nonideal behavior. Consequently, a so-called activity coefficient a was introduced and Raoult s law may be written as follows ... 

Doelker, E. Physicochemical behavior of active substances. consequences for the feasibility and stabihty of pharmaceutical forms. S.T.P. Pharma Prat. 1999, 9, 399-409. 

We can easily understand the essential, drive-induced, behavioral consequences by observing the movement of rats in an open field with numbered squares in which activity is measured by the number of squares crossed in a 30-min period and by the total area covered during this period. Due to the innate orienting-searching reflex activity, a naive rat put in this open field looks searchingly around for a short while and then stops moving. 

Table 2.1. Demonstration of the drive-induced, essential behavioral consequences in an open field in rats The qualitative difference between an innate-, or acquired-drive-induced purposeful hypermotility, due to enhanced orienting-searching reflex activity,3 on the one hand, and amphetamine-induced purposeless hypermotility, due to continuous release of catecholamines from their intraneuronal stores, on the other ...

Using animal models, determine the importance of CYP2D deficiency or high catalytic activity to the toxicity and behavioral consequences of amphetamines, as models of active drugs of abuse with metabolites of different pharmacologic activity. 

In industrial applications, the utility of activated carbon is based on adsorptive power, a relation quite apparent in traditional functions such as decolorization and in the removal of toxic vapors. However, some phenomena may appear in forms that we have not yet learned to view as orthodox forms of adsorptive behavior consequently in many everyday experiences the role of adsorption may escape general recognition. 

B. F. Skinner theorized that all behaviors are a function of antecedents and, perhaps to a larger extent, the consequences of those behaviors. Antecedents (also called activators ) serve as triggers to specific observable behaviors. Consequences either reinforce or discourage repetition of those behaviors. Most of today s behavioral safety movements are founded on this ABC theory [p. 23]. 

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