8 Flashcards
Group Contingency
A contingency in which consequences are delivered to some or all members of a group as a function of the performance of one, several, or all of its members
Dependent Group Contingency
A contingency in which reinforcement for all members of a group is dependent on the behavior of one member of the group or the behavior of a select group of members within the larger group.
Interdependent Group Contingency
A contingency in which reinforcement for all members of a group is dependent on each member of the group meeting a performance criterion; failure to meet criterion for any member results in no one receiving the consequence
Independent Group Contingency
A contingency in which reinforcement for each member of a group is dependent on that person’s meeting a performance criterion that is in effect for all members of the group
Advantages of Group Contingencies
1) it can save time; 2) can be effective in producing behavior change; 3) can be used when an individual contingency is impractical; 4) can be used when a problem must be resolved quickly; 5) can capitalize on peer influence and monitoring; 6) can help facilitate positive social interactions and group cohesion
Disadvantages of Group Contingencies
1) peer pressure 2) bullying 3) scapegoating 4) coercion 5) may not be effective for all individuals 6) sabotaging
Guidelines for Group Contingencies
1) choose effective reward 2) determine target behavior and collateral behaviors 3) use appropriate criteria 4) combine with other procedures when appropriate 5) select appropriate contingency 6) monitor group and individual performance
Ethical Considerations for Group Contingencies
- harmful group pressure
- scapegoating
- assessing effectiveness with group data (is everyone improving, not just group as a whole?)
- inappropriate prerequisites (for certain individuals)
Good Behavior Game
An interdependent group contingency in which a group is divided into 2 or more teams and compete against each other for a consequence resulting from lower occurrences of disruptive behaviors
Good Student Game
Combination of an interdependent group contingency with self-monitoring tactics. During independent work the teacher chooses a target behavior, determines the goals and rewards, determines whether group or individual monitoring will occur
Behavioral Contracts
Written document between two or more people in which a contingency is specified between the completion of a target behavior and access to a specified rewards
Behavioral Contract Components
Task, Reward, and Task Record
Task
WHO will perform the task/receive the reward, WHAT is the task, WHEN the task must be completed by, HOW WELL or to what extent the task must be completed
Reward
WHO will judge task completion/deliver reward, WHAT is the reward, WHEN they will receive the reward following completion, HOW MUCH of the reward can be earned
Task Record
Two purposes:
- recording completion and delivery allows all parties to review contract regularly
- Making a mark on the contract, such as a sticker, every time a student performs the task can help him stay on task until the criterion is reached and the reward is earned
Self Contract
A contingency contract that a person makes with themselves, incorporating a self-selected task and reward as well as personal monitoring of task completion and self-delivery of reward
Self Management
The personal application of behavior change tactics that produces a desired change in behavior
Self Control
The ability to control impulses and delay short term gratification for greater long term rewards
Methods for Self Management
Manipulate MOs, provide response prompts, provide stimulus prompts, identify alternative behaviors, perform initial steps of behavior chain, remove materials required for undesirable behavior, limit undesired behavior to restricted stimulus conditions, dedicate specific environment for desired behavior, self monitor, set goals/evaluate progress, self administer consequences
Benefits of Self Management
influence behavior not accessible to external agents, address behaviors that external agents often miss, promotes generalization and maintenance of behavior change, self management skills can control many behaviors, diverse abilities can learn self management, leads to contributing to efficient and effective group environments, ultimate goal of education
Self Management Applications
More effective / efficient in daily life, replace bad habits with good ones, accomplish difficult tasks, and achieve personal goals
Examples of Manipulating MOs
Eating before going grocery shopping resulting in purchasing fewer items
Example of performing initial steps in chain
Placing rain jacket by door to remember it when you leave and avoid getting wet
Example of removing items necessary for undesired behaviors
Removing all sweets from home when on a diet
Example of limiting undesired behavior to restricted stimulus conditions
Designating a specific area/conditions one can smoke in
Example of dedicating a specific environment for desired behavior
Selecting a specific place to study
Example of self monitoring
Tracking calories eaten each day
Example of setting goals / evaluating progress
Identifying goal for running a mile, collect data each day on time and analyze at the end of each week
Example of self administering consequences
Putting $5 on fridge and giving to roommate if exercise goal is not met at the end of the week
Example of providing response prompts
Covert self guiding through math homework (i.e. “first add this, then carry this number, finally add this”)
Example of providing stimulus prompts
Placing healthy food at eye level in kitchen when on diet
Example of identifying alternative behaviors
Purchasing sparkling waters to replace soda drinking
