Behavior

So what is behavior? It is important to understand that: ‘Behavior always has a purpose, whether it is interpreted as appropriate or inappropriate and it is learned and determined by antecedents and consequences (ABC of behavior Antecedents, Behavior and Consequences)’ (Crisp and Soan, 2003: 153). Thus if looked at in this way, a complete picture of what caused the behavior, the behavior itself and what happened following the behavior, can be constructed. It is also important that the behavior is interpreted by the educator with all the information gained from asking and answering the questions above, to ensure that an appropriate solution or intervention is implemented. Learners’ behavior does not therefore just occur; it is the result of a learner’s relationship with him or herself, with others, including all adults and peers and with the curriculum. Brofenbrenner (1979) agrees that these relationships are the three most influential factors that affect any learner’s ability to achieve.