What do expectations refer to in behavior analysis?

Expectations in behavior analysis refer to the anticipated consequences based on previous experiences. This concept emphasizes how individuals form beliefs about the likely outcomes of their actions based on what they have encountered in the past. For example, if a person has previously exercised and experienced positive outcomes, they may form the expectation that exercising will lead to similar benefits in the future. This anticipation can significantly influence their motivation to engage in the behavior again.

Understanding expectations plays a crucial role in behavior analysis because it helps practitioners identify how prior experiences shape current behavior. This aspect is key in designing interventions that can positively influence a person's actions by modifying their expectations of the outcomes. By enhancing or reshaping these expectations through education or positive reinforcement, behavior analysts can foster more adaptive behaviors.

Other options, while relevant to different aspects of behavior, do not encapsulate the essence of expectations in the context of behavior analysis. They address skills, external influences, and confidence, which are important factors but do not directly define what expectations are as anticipated consequences informed by past experiences.