What Drives Behavior? Understanding Power, Purpose, and the Functions You Don't See by Understanding Dennis the Menace and Anne of Green Gables

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What drives human behavior? It’s a timeless question that scientists, philosophers, and behavior analysts have attempted to answer for centuries. Traditionally, we’ve been taught that behavior is driven by the need to either seek pleasure or avoid pain. In Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), however, we dig deeper, looking for the functions of behavior. Whether we’re working with children in the classroom, managing behaviors at home, or analyzing the antics of well-known cartoon characters, understanding the purpose behind behavior is key to effective intervention.

But rather than just discussing the usual functions like attention, escape, or access to tangibles, let’s shake things up a bit. What if we looked at the functions of behavior through the lenses of power and purpose (Adler & Brett, 2009; Frankl, 2006). 

In this blog, we’ll use two familiar characters—Dennis the Menace and Anne Shirley—to explore how behavior can serve a much deeper, more meaningful function than just fulfilling basic needs. Through their antics, we’ll discuss how the four functions of behavior, as outlined by Iwata et al. (2013), can be linked to power and purpose in our everyday lives.

The Four Functions of Behavior: A Quick Refresher

Before we dive into power and purpose, let's briefly touch on the four traditional functions of behavior:

1. Escape/Avoidance – Behaviors that help an individual avoid or escape an unpleasant situation or demand.
2. Access to Tangibles – Behaviors aimed at gaining access to a desired item, activity, or event.
3. Attention-Seeking – Behaviors that serve to gain social interaction, approval, or recognition from others.
4. Automatic Reinforcement – Behaviors that provide intrinsic satisfaction or sensory stimulation, independent of external social interaction.

Now, these four functions of behavior are essential for understanding the basics to how and why people (or cartoon characters) behave. But let’s dig deeper into how these functions can be tied to power and purpose, which are often more subtle but incredibly important drivers of human behavior.

The Power and Purpose of Behavior: Dennis the Menace and Anne Shirley

Let’s take two beloved, yet often misunderstood, characters: Dennis the Menace and Anne Shirley. While both are funny and lovable, their behavior often demonstrates deeper motivations that can be linked to power and purpose.

Dennis the Menace: Chaos as Power and Control

Dennis the Menace, though often labeled as a troublemaker, displays behavior that is driven by a need for control and power over his environment—especially the adults around him. For Dennis, mischief is a way to assert dominance in a world where he is often powerless.

Escape/Avoidance

Dennis often uses his behavior to avoid things he doesn’t want to do, such as chores, schoolwork, or being reprimanded by adults. His antics are a way to escape from the demands of his parents or the expectations placed on him by Mr. Wilson.

Access to Tangibles

While Dennis may sometimes engage in mischief to gain access to toys or treats, he’s also seeking access to social power. His pranks are his way of asserting himself and ensuring he’s noticed, which is another form of gaining access—this time, to social influence and control over his interactions with others.

Attention-Seeking

Dennis’s behavior often seeks attention, but it’s not just any attention—it’s dominant attention. His pranks and antics are designed to ensure that the adults in his life, particularly Mr. Wilson, are forced to react. For Dennis, attention isn’t just validation—it’s a way to assert control.

Automatic Reinforcement

Finally, Dennis likely enjoys the satisfaction of his own mischievousness. His behavior is self-reinforcing in that it feels good to cause a stir, even if it’s to the detriment of others. The automatic reinforcement he experiences is tied to the intrinsic enjoyment he gets from manipulating his environment and the reactions he evokes.

Anne Shirley: The Power of Imagination and Purpose

Anne Shirley, from Anne of Green Gables, is a character whose behavior is motivated not by mischief, but by her deep need for belonging and purpose. Anne's imaginative nature often gets her into trouble, but it also reflects her internal drive to shape her environment according to her dreams.

Escape/Avoidance‍

Anne frequently uses her imagination to escape unpleasant situations, such as the rigid structure of her life in orphanages. Her vivid fantasies offer her a way to avoid feelings of loneliness and abandonment. In this way, her imagination serves as a form of emotional escape, helping her deal with the difficulties she faces.

Access to Tangibles

While Anne doesn’t often engage in behavior to directly access material items, she does exhibit behaviors aimed at gaining access to social validation and acceptance. Whether it's her attempts to impress her teacher or her determination to succeed in school, Anne is seeking access to social acknowledgment and personal recognition.

Attention-Seeking

Anne’s behavior, particularly her dramatic outbursts and colorful language, is often about gaining attention. She’s not seeking negative attention but desires acknowledgment for her intelligence, creativity, and emotional depth. Her attention-seeking behavior is a reflection of her need for others to understand her unique perspective on the world.

Automatic Reinforcement

Anne also finds intrinsic satisfaction in her own creative abilities. Her love for storytelling and her ability to use her imagination provide her with automatic reinforcement, as she finds fulfillment and joy in her inner world, regardless of how others perceive it.

Power, Purpose, and the Four Functions of Behavior

So, how do these classic characters illustrate a deeper understanding of the four functions of behavior? In ABA, the traditional view of the four functions—escape/avoidance, access to tangibles, attention-seeking, and automatic reinforcement—helps us understand why people do what they do. But when we look at behavior through additional functions of behavior, the lenses of power and purpose, we can uncover more profound and often hidden motivations behind seemingly simple actions.

• Escape and Avoidance: At times, escape behaviors are not just about avoiding tasks—they can also reflect a deeper desire to escape feelings of powerlessness or inadequacy.
• Access to Tangibles: Access is not just about getting items or activities, but sometimes about gaining control over one’s environment or gaining influence in relationships.
• Attention-Seeking: Seeking attention can be about more than just validation—it can be a way of asserting power or dominance over others.
• Automatic Reinforcement: Some behaviors are reinforced because they give individuals a sense of purpose or fulfillment—whether it’s the satisfaction of being rebellious, persistent, or creative.

Final Thoughts: Moving Beyond the Basics

Behavior is rarely as simple as it seems. As ABA practitioners and parents, we know that the surface-level function of behavior—whether it’s escape, attention, or access—only tells part of the story. By exploring the power and purpose behind behavior, we can better understand the deeper needs that drive children’s actions.

So, the next time you see a child throwing a tantrum, avoiding a task, or seeking attention, remember: behind that behavior may lie a need for control, approval, or a sense of purpose. And when we approach behavior with that understanding, we’re better equipped to help them find healthier ways to meet those needs.

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References:

Adler, A., & Brett, C. (2009). Understanding life: An introduction to the psychology of Alfred Adler. Oneworld Publications. 

Frankl, V. (2006). Man’s search for meaning. Beacon Press. 

Iwata, B. A., DeLeon, I. G., & Roscoe, E. M. (2013). Reliability and validity of the functional analysis screening tool. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 46(1), 271–284. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.31