B.6 Identify and distinguish between automatic and socially mediated contingencies

Reinforcers and punishments influence behaviors by either increasing or decreasing their frequency. These contingencies can be classified as automatically mediated or socially mediated, depending on whether another person is involved in delivering the consequence.

Automatically Mediated Contingencies These contingencies occur directly as a result of the behavior itself, without requiring the involvement of another person. The behavior produces its own reinforcement or punishment. Examples: Nail biting Cracking knuckles Chewing gum Listening to music Watching a movie 🔑Key Idea: Automatically mediated contingencies are self-driven and independent of external social interaction.

Socially Mediated Contingencies These contingencies require the involvement of another person to deliver reinforcement or punishment. The consequence occurs indirectly through social interaction. Examples: Asking someone for a glass of water and having them bring it to you. Requesting free samples at an ice cream shop and receiving them. Getting a good grade on an exam. Receiving a compliment from a friend. 🔑Key Idea: Socially mediated contingencies rely on interaction with others to deliver consequences.

Type	Key Feature	Examples
Automatically Mediated	Reinforcement or punishment occurs directly, without involving others.	Nail biting, cracking knuckles, listening to music.
Socially Mediated	Reinforcement or punishment is delivered through social interaction.	Asking for water, receiving compliments, earning a good grade.

Practical Applications

1. Understanding Behaviors: Identifying whether a behavior is influenced by automatic or socially mediated contingencies helps tailor interventions.

   Example: For nail biting (automatic), self-monitoring strategies may work best. For seeking attention (socially mediated), redirecting the behavior may be more effective.
   

2. Behavior Analysis: This distinction is crucial for determining the function of behaviors, particularly in applied behavior analysis (ABA).