Behavior is Quantifiable, Predictable, and Controllable

Human behavior often is considered by engineers as something unpredictable. However, it is becoming inevitable for humans and machines to exist in the same space. Thus, engineers today must take human behavior into account when designing and operating machines. Behavioral scientists can provide engineers additional tools to work with to make their already useful designs even better. The goals of my presentation are three-fold. First, I will talk about how behavioral scientists conceptualize behavior. This serves as a basis for how to quantify, predict, and control behavior. Second, I will discuss behavior-based safety as an application of this framework. Third, I will address how new technologies help behavioral scientists improve their methods for changing behavior. Thus, an overarching theme of my presentation is to identify a common ground on which engineers and behavioral scientists can work together for mutual benefits.