written agreement between two partied in which one or both parties agree to engage in a specified level of target behavior(s); includes description of consequence that will be administered contingent on occurrence of the behavior
Behavioral contract
5 components of a behavioral contract:
- Identify and clearly define target behaviors
- State how target behaviors measured
- State when behavior must be performed
- Identify SR or PUN contingency
- Identify who implement contingency
3 ways to measure Target Behavior:
- Permanent
- Automated
- Direct observation
Target BX measurement ex: # of pages written
Permanent
Target BX measurement ex: # of steps recorded by watch
Automated
Target BX measurement ex:
Data collection on data sheet
Direct Observation
one person seeks to change target BX & arranges for SR/PUN contingencies with contract manager, who implements the contingencies
One party contract
two parties identify target bx for change & contingencies implemented for target BX
Two party contract
Difference between One and Two Party Contracts:
- Contract Manager sets implements contingencies in One Party Contract
- Both participants identify target bx AND contingencies in Two Party Contract
Why can’t Contract Managers stand to gain from contract contiingencies?
Contract Manager will be rooting for client to fail instead of achieving target bx
expectation is that both parties will perform their target bxs, which will be reinforcing for the other
Quid Pro Quo
separate contingency established for each persons target BX in two party contract
Parallel
3 types of Group Contingencies:
- Independent
- Dependent
- Interdependen
Each individuals performance determines their own access to the SR
Independent
Ex of group contingency:
Each student who earns 80% or better on math test earns additional free time
Independent
Performance of one or more members of group determines whether SR delivered for entire group
Dependent
Ex of group contingency: lowest scoring student earns 80% or better on math test, ALL students in class earn additional free time
Dependent
Level of group performance required for entire group to access SR
Interdependent
Ex of group contingency:
All students passed the test so all students get extra recess
Interdependent
Advantages of GC
- Efficiency
- Peer influence
Side effects of GC
- Group members may provide prompts to increase probability group will meet criterion for SR
- Negative social pressure
How do yo play to good behavior game?
- Divide class into teams
- Establish rules
- Provide feedback for rule violations
- Establish criterion for winning game
- Deliver rewards to winning team using interdependent group contingency
