The statement “It is contingencies that define values, not values that drive the contingencies” reflects a core principle in Functional Behavior Analysis (FBA). It implies that the behavior itself does not inherently possess value, but rather the consequences (contingencies) of that behavior determine whether it will be repeated or extinguished.

Understanding the Statement:

• Contingencies: The consequences that follow a behavior, which can be reinforcing (rewarding, increasing the likelihood of the behavior repeating) or punishing (unpleasant, decreasing the likelihood of the behavior repeating).
• Values: In this context, “values” don’t refer to personal or moral values, but to the inherent desirability or undesirability of the behavior itself. This statement argues that behaviors don’t have an inherent value that “drives” them, but rather the consequences attached to them shape their frequency and function.

Relevance in FBA:

• Identifying the Function of Behavior: FBAs aim to understand why a specific behavior occurs. This statement emphasizes that understanding the behavior’s function (what the individual “gets” from it) requires analyzing the contingencies maintaining it, not simply assuming the behavior is driven by internal value judgments.
• Focus on Consequences: By focusing on contingencies, FBAs avoid assigning internal motivations or moral value to the behavior, instead objectively analyzing the environmental factors influencing its occurrence.
• Developing Effective Interventions: Once the contingencies maintaining the behavior are identified, interventions can be designed to manipulate those consequences and promote desired behaviors. This shifts the focus from “fixing” the person to changing the environment to promote better choices.

Examples:

• A child throwing a tantrum in a store might not be “bad” or “seeking attention,” but might simply be trying to avoid an unpleasant task (going home). The tantrum is reinforced by avoiding the disliked task. An FBA would identify this contingency and suggest interventions to change it, like offering rewards for calm behavior.
• A student constantly interrupting class might not be “disrespectful” but might be seeking teacher attention, even if it’s negative. The attention reinforces the interrupting behavior. An FBA would suggest providing positive attention for appropriate behaviors, reducing the reinforcing value of interrupting.

Conclusion:

By understanding the statement “It is contingencies that define values, not values that drive the contingencies,” FBAs can objectively assess behaviors, identify their maintaining factors, and develop effective interventions that address the root causes of challenging behaviors. This approach is less judgmental and more likely to lead to positive behavioral change.