Rulegoverned behavior refers to behavior that is controlled by a verbal statement a rule rather than by direct exposure to a contingency In this scenario the familys cautious behavior is controlled by the verbal rule presented by the sign Beware of Alligators They have not directly experienced the aversive consequence of an alligator encounter yet their behavior is modified based on this instruction This rule is often learned and maintained through social reinforcement eg praise for following rules avoiding potential negative social consequences Contingencyshaped behavior is behavior that has been learned and is maintained by direct contact with the reinforcing or punishing consequences of that behavior Since the family has never been bitten or attacked by an alligator their cautious behavior is not shaped by direct aversive contingencies related to alligators A physical prompt involves physically guiding a learner to engage in a behavior A sign while a stimulus does not physically guide behavior An unconditioned warning is not a standard behavioral term While the sign functions as a warning the specific behavioral concept differentiating how it controls behavior without direct experience of consequences is rulegoverned behavior Unconditioned stimuli elicit unconditioned responses without prior learning a written sign and its meaning are learned