Behaviour and context

To understand more about your thinking, rather than examining the thinking itself, have a look at when the thinking happens.

What is the context in which this thinking occurs?

You can think about the context as:

• Stimuli in the immediate environment (antecedents)
• Your habitual responses to these stimuli (consequences of past reinforcement or punishment)

The context is important since it may produce very different responses.

Here is the same habitual response, but in two different contexts:

1. Writing an assignment – the grade will be important to your career – “I’m scared”
2. Motivating context – people/you say – “You can do it/Just work harder”
3. Thought – “I’m not good enough” – but you try harder and keep at it

1. Writing an assignment – the grade will be important to your career – “I’m scared”
2. Demotivating context – people/you say – “You’ll never be any good at this/Others can do it better”
3. Thought – “I’m not good enough” – and you give up or work half-heartedly

What you can do:

1. When you are part of the context, remember you can influence the outcome.
2. When you are part of the context, remember accuracy is less important; rather do and say things that will take you/people closer to what you/they want in life.
3. When you are part of the context, remember accuracy is less important; rather do and say things that will work for you/people.