Question:
What distinguishes Rule Governed Behavior from Determined Behavior?

Answer:
Although I’m not entirely familiar with these exact terms, here’s my interpretation.

Modal operators of necessity—words like “must,” “have to,” and “should”—reflect our unconscious rules. These are the internal guidelines we follow to achieve certain outcomes, get along with others, or simply navigate daily life. Exploring these “musts” and “shoulds” can reveal both the rules we impose on ourselves and those we expect from others. Often, these rules tend to focus on avoiding negative outcomes or what we want to move away from.

On the other hand, modal operators of possibility—phrases such as “can,” “will,” “want to,” and “would like to”—are about the choices we have and the directions we decide to take. They reflect a forward-looking, proactive mindset focused on what we want to move toward.

Overall, modal operators reveal the different “ways of operating” or modes through which we approach life and behavior.