Gilbert's Behavior Engineering Model
The Behavior Engineering Model stems from Gilbert's definition of behavior and the basic psychological model of behavior. Psychology says that when a stimulus evokes a response, that response is then reinforced by the stimulus that occurs as a result of the response. This is illustrated in the equation below with the example of darkness (Gilbert 2007).
Gilbert then adds to this saying that behavior itself is the product of repertory of behavior and a supporting environment. This essentially means that when behavior is inadequate, we can alter that behavior by either changing a person's repertory, changing the person's environment, or changing both (Gilbert 2007).
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B = E x P
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These two basic understandings of behavior lead us to the Behavior Engineering Model. The BEM is essentially a matrix to help the analyzer better understand where the gaps are in the various aspects of behavior so that they can decide which pieces need to be altered in order to improve the behavior (Gilbert 2007).
Behavior |
SD Information |
R Instrumentation |
Sr Motivation |
E Environmental Supports |
Data
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Instruments:
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Incentives
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P Person's Repertory of Behavior |
Knowledge
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Capacity
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Motives
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The Behavior Engineering Model (Gilbert 2007)
Economics of the Behavior Engineering Model (Gilbert 2007)