Behavioral Safety from the
Consumer's Perspective

What are the defining features of a behavioral approach?

Grainne A. Matthews

Systematic

• Specify the behaviors and results to be improved
• Determine an objective way to measure those behaviors and results
• Use principles of behavior to develop methods to change current performance
• Implement these methods and evaluate their effectiveness

Data oriented

• Use valid and reliable data to evaluate the effectiveness of change strategies
• Measure performance objectively and accurately

Scientific problem solving

• Define behavior precisely – “operationally define” or pinpoint
• Experiment – conduct a “functional analysis” and rule out other variables
• Consistently replicate findings under different circumstances

BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS NEXT SECTION

This paper was originally presented at the Behavioral Safety Now 1998 conference.

---