Category: OC in the Class Room ¤
  Author: Stacy Braslau-Schneck ¤
   Title: Shaping Bus Drivers ¤

Thought I'd update you all on my occaisonal, one-trial training sessions
with San Francisco bus drivers.

As some of you may recall, I was trying to train - I mean, encourage! - a
friendlier response to my boarding a bus by the bus drivers.  Almost all of
them would stare straight ahead, not say anything, barely look around if I
had to get them to hand me a transfer.  Well, I knew I had something they
wanted - my fare - so I knew that I could reinforce correct behavior.  

Here's how the training session went.  I'd get on the bus, say "Good
morning/afternoon" (as appropriate - usually), and pause for a response.
As soon as I got a decent response, I'd pay my fare (actually, when I
started I had a bus pass so I'd show them that).  Simple Stimulus,
Response, Reinforcement trials.

When I started, any look in my direction or any vocalization was rewarded.
For some of the drivers, this behavior was simple.  Others took a longer
time to react, and I had to do some fumbling for my fare and once or twice
just walked on without showing my pass (no R+).

Soon, a simple grunt or glance away-from-straight-ahead wouldn't do.  I
upped my criteria, gradually, I hope.  I required an actual word or brief
eye contact.

(I also usually call out "thank you" or wave to the driver when I get off.
I guess this is more of a R+ just for doing their job.  Sometimes I
specificly thank them for calling out the major stops - I think that's
great since I'm often reading and I know how hard it is for riders who are
new to the line).

This morning, about a year later, I got on the bus and said "good morning".
 The driver was so enthusiastic about greeting me, I was afraid he'd start
a whole conversation and never get going!  But he did, and he was watching
for me when I crossed the street in front of the bus after I got off at my
stop and waved to me.  Several of the other drivers are also greeting me
pleasantly, but this guy is certainly the most emphatic.  Unfortunately,
they don't seem to have generalized yet to greeting other people!

So I think my "experiment" has worked.  Do I feel guilty about manipulating
a fellow human being?  No, I feel glad that I've been able to make them
aware that someone appreciates their work and presence!

I am now only 62 digests behind.

Stacy
Stacy Braslau-Schneck
"At the train station, trains stop. At the bus station, busses stop. And at
my workstation..."
sbraslau@exploratorium.edu
San Francisco, CA