Why Behavior Analysis Needs a Formal Symbolic Language for Codifying Behavioral Contingencies

Abstract

A formal symbolic language codifies its discipline’s basic units and the relationships among these. In the sciences, formal symbolic languages codify the known events that can be manipulated and controlled—the independent variables, rather than their empirically observed effects. The symbols of the behavioral contingency language codify available behavior, its assumed potential consequences, and parameters of these. This language can accommodate the complexity of the behavioral contingencies that are at the core of such diverse fields as education, sociology, economics, health, business management, law, public affairs, and activity that impacts the environment. Formal symbolic languages can accelerate the progress and maturation of their disciplines by (1) defining basic units, (2) making relationships among these visually accessible, (3) identifying their parameters, (4) recording and communicating the discipline’s knowledge, (5) categorizing and conceptualizing it, and (6) teaching it. Examples are presented to show how the present formal symbolic language can perform these vital functions in the behavioral sciences. One example demonstrates how the language makes explicit the parameters of the traditional three-term operant contingency. Another demonstrates how a wide range of behavioral contingencies can be conceptualized and grouped, including prevention, deception, theory of mind situations, contingencies that change, discounting contingencies, and economic phenomena. The methodological significance of the contingency language for the behavioral sciences is discussed.