What best describes a contingency?

A contingency is best described as a statement of a dependent relationship between events. In the context of training and behavior, it indicates that one event is dependent on another, meaning that the occurrence of one event affects the likelihood of another event happening. For example, in operant conditioning, a behavior (like sitting) can lead to a consequence (like a treat), thus creating a contingency between the behavior and the outcome.

Understanding contingencies is crucial for trainers as they help shape and modify behavior through reinforcement or punishment based on the relationship between an action and its consequences. This concept is foundational in behavior modification and training, highlighting that behaviors are not standalone events; rather, they exist within a context of reactions and outcomes.