“The Rat Is Always Right”: What B.F. Skinner’s Wisdom Teaches Us About Human Behavior and Error Prevention

B.F. Skinner, a renowned psychologist and pioneer of behaviorism, famously said, “The rat is always right.” This phrase stems from his work in operant conditioning, where he emphasized that animal (or human) behavior is determined by the consequences of previous actions. His point was when a rat in an experiment behaves in a way that doesn’t align with expectations, it’s not the rat that’s wrong—it’s the conditions of the experiment or the researcher’s assumptions.

In the context of safety, incident investigations, and error prevention, this principle is just as applicable. Human behavior, like the rat in Skinner’s experiments, is shaped by the environment, systems, and processes surrounding it. When errors occur, instead of blaming the individual, we should look deeper at the conditions and influences that led to that behavior.

This is exactly what the TapRooT® Stopping Human Error Course teaches: how to understand and prevent human error by analyzing the systems and processes that influence behavior.

Skinner’s Behaviorism and Human Error

At its core, behaviorism is the theory that behavior is learned and shaped by reinforcement and punishment. In Skinner’s famous experiments, rats learned to press a lever to receive food. The environment and the reward system directly influenced their behavior.

Similarly, employees’ actions in the workplace are shaped by the systems they work within, the training they receive, and the consequences (or lack thereof) of their actions. When human error occurs, it is often because the environment has not adequately reinforced correct behavior or has unintentionally reinforced risky behavior.

We can reduce errors by focusing on adjusting the environment and systems—rather than solely blaming individuals.

For example, if a worker fails to follow a safety procedure, it might be because:

1. The procedure is unclear or overly complex.
2. The worker hasn’t received proper training.
3. There are time pressures or competing priorities that make shortcuts more attractive.
4. There is a lack of immediate consequences for unsafe behavior.

Instead of assuming that the worker is careless or negligent, Skinner’s principle encourages us to look at these underlying factors that influence behavior. As the saying goes, “the rat is always right”—the behavior observed is a result of the environment we’ve created.

The TapRooT® Approach: Understanding Human Error

The Stopping Human Error Course from System Improvements, the creators of the TapRooT® system, takes this understanding of behaviorism and applies it to real-world error prevention. The course teaches participants how to identify the systemic root causes of human error, such as poor communication, inadequate procedures, or faulty equipment, and provides tools to address those issues proactively.

Here’s how the course’s approach ties into Skinner’s concept:

1. Focus on the System, Not the Individual: Much like Skinner’s experiments, the TapRooT® course teaches that human behavior is a product of the system. Instead of focusing on individual blame, the course emphasizes investigating the conditions and systems that allowed the error to occur.
2. Learning from Behavior: Just as Skinner’s rats learned from their environment, employees’ behaviors are learned through the experiences they have on the job. The TapRooT® course provides strategies for creating environments that reinforce safe behavior and discourage risky actions.
3. Analyzing Errors Objectively: Skinner’s phrase encourages objectivity in research, and the same holds true in incident investigations. The course helps safety professionals remove bias and emotion from investigations, enabling them to focus on factual, evidence-based analysis of why an error occurred.
4. Behavioral Triggers: Understanding what triggers specific behaviors is key to preventing future errors. By identifying the “triggers” that lead to errors—whether it’s a confusing instruction or a high-pressure situation—organizations can implement changes to minimize those triggers.

Practical Applications

Imagine an industrial setting where operators frequently fail to properly lock out equipment before performing maintenance. This failure creates a significant safety hazard, but operators continue to skip the step despite training. Applying the “rat is always right” mentality, rather than simply reprimanding employees, a deeper investigation is needed.

• Systems and Procedures: Are the lockout procedures clear, accessible, and easy to follow? If they are overly complex, workers may unintentionally bypass steps.
• Training and Reinforcement: Have workers received proper hands-on training with real-world scenarios, and are they regularly reinforced with positive consequences for following procedures correctly?
• Time Pressures and Workload: Is there pressure to complete tasks quickly, leading to shortcuts? Are supervisors reinforcing speed over safety, even subtly?

By analyzing these factors, the company can implement corrective actions, such as simplifying procedures, reinforcing training with hands-on practice, and prioritizing safety over speed.

Conclusion: Applying Behaviorism to Safety

B.F. Skinner’s belief that “the rat is always right” teaches us that behavior is shaped by the environment. In safety management and error prevention, this means looking at the systems, processes, and training that guide human behavior.

The TapRooT® Stopping Human Error Course is designed to help organizations do just that—understand and influence the factors that lead to human error. Through this course, participants learn how to analyze the root causes of errors and implement effective solutions that address the real reasons behind them.

If you’re interested in learning more about how to prevent human error and create an environment that supports safety, consider attending the Global TapRooT® Summit or enrolling in the Stopping Human Error Course.

These resources offer valuable insights into behavior, error prevention, and how to develop systems that promote safe, reliable operations. Remember, understanding human behavior is key to stopping human error!