System-shaped Behavior

System-shaped behavior is behavior influenced by the incentives, constraints, signals, defaults, pressures, and feedback loops of the system surrounding it.

This does not mean people have no responsibility.

It means behavior should not be interpreted apart from the conditions that made it more likely.

A person may respond to what is rewarded, avoid what is punished, prioritize what is measured, ignore what is invisible, or repeat what the system makes easiest.

MNKY Math uses system-shaped behavior to slow down simplistic judgment.

Before asking only: Why did this person do that?

It also asks: What did the system make easy, safe, rewarded, costly, rational, or normal?

System-shaped behavior is especially important when many people respond in similar ways.

When behavior repeats across a system, the pattern may say as much about the system as it says about the individuals inside it.