rulegoverned

Rule-governed behavior refers to actions that are controlled primarily by rules or instructions rather than by direct experience with environmental contingencies. A rule is a verbal statement that describes a relation between a behavior and its consequence, such as “If you study one hour each day, you will pass the course.” When people follow such rules, their behavior is guided by the rule’s stated outcome rather than by immediate reinforcement or punishment from the environment.

In behavior-analytic theory, rule-governed behavior is contrasted with contingency-shaped behavior, which develops through trial-and-error contact with actual contingencies. Rule-governed behavior can be acquired quickly through instruction and can be adaptable across contexts, but it may also be sensitive to the perceived credibility or relevance of the rule. It can persist even when the actual contingencies change or when the rule proves inaccurate, at least for some time.

Several factors influence the strength and reliability of rule-governed behavior, including the authority or trustworthiness of the rule-giver, the clarity and plausibility of the rule, and the learner’s motivation and context. Rules are widely used in education, therapy, and organizational settings to promote complex or long-term goals, to establish safety practices, and to guide behavior when direct contingencies are difficult to observe.

See also: verbal behavior, contingency-shaped behavior, instruction-based learning, human operant psychology.