Sometimes this is all that needs to be changed. In other words, the problem behavior is actually fine, if one can simply find the appropriate context for it and if the client can do it only in that context. In listening to people talk about problems, I am often very aware of strongly held inappropriate cause-effect beliefs. My attention is especially aroused when someone has a lot of intensity to his belief and clings to it even in the face of contradictory evidence. On the other hand, clients sometimes lack important cause-effect beliefs.
Criteria are the things a person is trying to satisfy in a given context.
For instance, in looking for a relationship one's criteria might include things like physical beauty, intelligence, charm, and sensitivity. These are what we often call refer to as a person's values or priorities. It is extremely important to be aware of a client's criteria. Any outcome you attempt to give him will be unsatisfactory if it is not in accord with his own criteria. Furthermore, the client's criteria can be powerful leverage for the therapist.