17 Using instructions, rules, contingency contracts etc. Flashcards
Similar if not identical to following instructions as both are under the control of verbal antecedent stimuli.
Some say in instruction is a type of rule, others make a distinction between the two
Rule governed behavior
Contingency specifying stimuli, which may alter the function of other stimuli, and evoke behavior that doesn’t require want to have a history of contacting the consequences specified by that…
Often come in the form of F/than statements. If you go right at the light then you go to Main Street
Rules
May be defined as oral or written verbal stimuli, which may be efficient ways to evoke a new behavior though not necessarily alter the function of other stimuli
Thus, a statement such as please pick up your toys, although formally and instruction or request, would not be considered a rule if it’s only affect was to evoke picking up toys because such behavior has been reinforced in the past when the instruction was given…. Conversely, saying, that is delicious, in the presence of a novel food, although not formally and instruction or rule should be considered a rule if it auto is the function of the food such that it presents evokes eating in the listener
Instructions
Typically if there’s a high correspondence between following instructions/rules and then contacted contingencies of reinforcement, this will build a stronger instruction/rule following repertoire
On the other hand, low correspondence between following instructions/rules and subsequently contacting contingencies of reinforcement will likely yield a week or instruction/rule following
Rules
In practice Can be useful for:
more quickly getting behavior under the control of a Settings Natural contingency such as, while shaping, training, prompting and fading
Self management or self control
Following of behavioral contract such as contingency contract
rules and instructions
Can make people insensitive to the contingencies that are Actually in a fact and this has the potential to be problematic
However some may argue it’s precisely that insensitivity which makes people overcome and persevere in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds
Rules
Composed of IF/than statements or rules.
Specifies a dependent relationship between the completion of a specified metal behavior and access to a specific reward
Not the primary means for obtaining skill acquisition. Individual must already demonstrate the performance of the skill or task
It’s necessary that an individual’s verbal repertoire beef proficient enough to allow for his or her behavior to come under control of the rules in the contract
Note: visual aids like images, recordings etc. can be used
Contingency contracts
Can be used to alter behavior in nearly any setting such as school, home, between school and home, business, sporting event etc.
Should be specific regarding the who what when how well and how much of tasks and we wards
Should ensure a frequent and immediate pay off in small amounts, after small approximations of the target behavior
Should be dated and signed by all parties involved
If it is consistently failing to produce the desired results for any party involved, then based on the data and input from all signing parties, revising should be strongly considered.
Contract
When developing, consider co-authoring list of what is currently being done and what needs to be done better from each parties perspective and fairly negotiate behaviors and rewards
Contract
Also known as self control, is the application of behavior change strategy is to produce a change in one’s on behavior. Eg, abate Unwanted behavior and/or evoke desired behavior
Involves self monitoring which requires one to observe/record ones own behavior occasionally resulting in behavior change without an additional intervention
If contingencies are clear and consistently implemented and behavior can come under the governance of rules then …. might be successful
Self management
- Identify the target behavior in reliable, measurable terms
- Self monitor i.e., track and graph, target behavior accurately and often and set goals for it
- Identify SD’s & EO’s For target behavior and the effort required to engage in it
- Arrange environmental contingencies to support self management such as, very effort required to engage in target behaviors, publicly commit to displaying/graphing them, and/or reinforce the achievement of behavior goals
- Identify immediate or delayed consequences for that behavior
- Obtain an accountability partner. One who agrees to prompt and/or provide and withhold consequences based on performance
- Track alternative responses they compete with the target behavior; identify effort to engage in them
- Identify private and public precursors to target behaviors
Some strategies for self management
A contingency in which common consequence off in a reward, is delivered to individuals within a group dependent upon the behavior of one or more members of the group and maybe classified as dependent, independent or inter-dependent
Group contingency
A consequence for the whole group is “dependent” On the behavior of an individual or a small number of group members.
Example: if the student answers the question correctly then everyone in the group gets an extra hour of free time possibly making that student HERO
Dependent group contingency
A consequence is Available to all members of the group but only those who made the performance criterion will actually receive the consequence
Frequently combined with contingency contracts and token economies
Example: only those students who quietly have their hands folded on top of their desks for 10 seconds will be dismissed after the bell rings. Any student to demonstrate this for 10 seconds will be dismissed
Independent group contingency
A consequence is available to all individual members of the group but only when all members of the group meet the criterion
Example, a boss could say that everyone will get a bonus but only after every individual meets the sales quota otherwise nobody gets a bonus
A variation maybe use if the group gives up because they see that at least one member of the group is failing to meet criterion. Sometimes this failure may be due to sabotage
Example: variations like group averaging, total group criterion or random selection of group members when evaluating, might help overcome such issues
Inter-dependent Contingency
