Unit 7 Flashcards
Contingency contract
A document that specifies a contingent relationship between the completion of a specified behavior or task and access to a specific reward
Contracts are not used for
Skill acquisition
Contracts are used for
Permanent products
Contracts
The individual’s verbal repertoire must be sufficiently advanced so that his/her behavior comes under the control of the contract
Necessary elements of a contract
Task
Signatures
Reward
Data Collection
Progress record
Should monitor progress of contract and provide interim rewards
Premack principle
The opportunity to engage in a high-probability behavior contingent upon the occurrence of low-probability behavior will reinforcement the low-probability behavior
(You can eat ice cream after you eat your broccoli)
Contracting rules
Payoff should be immediate Initially reward small approximations Reward frequently with small amounts Reward accomplishments, not obedience Reward performance after it occurs The contract must be fair, honest, an positive The terms of the contract must be clear Contracting methods used systematically
DeRisi model
Date contract begins and ends Behavior Amount and kind reward Signatures of all involved Schedule for review of progress
Contracting guide
Involve the individual in some or all aspects of developing the contract
Select behavior-negotiate
Describe behavior, must be observable and measurable
Identify rewards
Identify mediator, collect data, and reward
Write understandable contract
Collect data
Troubleshoot the system if no improvement
Rewrite contract
Monitor, troubleshoot, rewrite for improvement
Group contingency
A contingency in which reinforcement for all members of a group is dependent on the behavior of a person within the group, a select group of members within the larger group, or each member of the group meeting a performance criterion
Consider using group contingencies when
Group of persons share certain problem
Unrealistic to set up individual programs
Difficult to identify the person responsible for x behavior
Singling out one person to reward may cause problems with peers
Types of group contingencies
Independent
Dependent
Interdependent
Independent group contingency
A contingency in which reinforcement for each member of a group is dependent on that person’s meeting a performance criterion which is in effect for all members of the group
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 select members within the larger group
Dependent group contingency is also known as
Hero procedure
Consequence sharing
Interdependent group contingency
A contingency in which reinforcement for all group members of a group is dependent on each member of the group is meeting a performance criterion that is in effect for all members
Group average: Advantage
Group members may continue to work hard to meet criterion even when they see peers failing to meet the criterion
Group average: Disadvantage
Some group members may become “free riders”
Advantage of random selection with group contingencies
As it is uncertain who will be selected as the person to be evaluated, all members may word harder and try to meet the criterion
Advantages of group contingencies
May save time as do not need to design multiple programs
May be easier to implement that individualized programs
May work quickly
Takes advantage of natural peer-to-peer influence
Group members may encourage “hero” or all other peers
Group members may discontinue reinforcing undesirable behavior or “hero” or all other peers
