{Dead-Man Test Blues

By: Cody Morris and the Reinforcers

The Dead-Man Test Blues is a song about a man and his love interest trying to control each others behavior with ineffective contingencies.

All the contingencies are ineffective because they fail the Dead-Man Test. (If you find a contingency that fails more than the Dead-Man Test email us and let us know. You’ll get cool points!)

As the contingencies fail, the man’s problems worsen giving him the Dead-Man Test Blues

What is the Dead-Man Test?

Definition:If a Dead Man can do it, it probably isn’t behavior. (Malott 2014)

Example:If you are working with a student who is frequently distracted in class and does not complete their work, an appropriate target behavior cannot be doesn't’t do work. Not doing their worksheet is not a behavior. A Dead Man can not do their worksheet. A more appropriate target behavior would be the student talking during work time.

Enjoy

I got a baby, she yell at me, she always tryin, Punishment Contingency.

So I’ve got the blues. Dead-Man Test Blues

I bought my baby, a big diamond ring, you know what I’m doing, Reinforcement Contingency.

But I’ve got the blues. Dead-Man Test Blues

I got a shiny new car, but she takin my keys, you know she thinkin, Punishment-By-Prevention-Of-A-Reinforcer Contingency.

(That Contingency is really tough to say in rhythm)

And I’ve got the blues. Dead-Man Test Blues

My baby screamin, saw that girl with me, now I’m trying to get that, Escape Contingency.

But I’ve got the blues. Dead-Man Test Blues

I tried to get, that girl to leave, but she wont get out my life, Punishment-By-Prevention-Of-Removal Contingency.

(Another tough one)

And I’ve got the blues. Dead-Man Test Blues

My baby leavin, takin everything, I know its gotta be Penalty Contingency.

And I’ve got the blues. Dead-Man Test Blues

You know she angry, she wanna get me, but I’m hoping Avoidance Contingency.

But I’ve got the blues. Dead-Man Test Blues

So now she stayin, you know how it be, its Avoidance-of-loss Contingency.

But I’ve got the blues. Dead-Man Test Blues

Dedicated to Dick Malott

Written and Performed by: Cody MorrisSung by:Caila ConklinHarmonica by:Mike Bartz

Special thanks to:Denice RiosKatie Suszek& the rest of the Peterson Lab