Rule-governed behavior, self-management, and the developmentally disabled: A theoretical analysis

Abstract

In the human-made environment, much human behavior produces outcomes important to the well-being of the individual that, nonetheless, fail to reinforce or punish that individual's behavior. However, rules describing such ineffective contingencies can control the relevant behavior, if the person has the prerequisite skills, including self-management skills. Perhaps such rule-governed behavior is another repertoire the developmentally disabled need in order to approximate normal performance in our culture.