Cooper, Heron, and Heward Applied Behavior Analysis, Second Edition Copyright © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved Chapter 26: Contingency

Cooper, Heron, and HewardApplied Behavior Analysis, Second Edition

Copyright © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc.All rights reserved

Chapter 26:Contingency Contracting, Token

Economy, and Group Contingencies



Contingency Contract

• AKA: Behavioral Contract

• Definition:– A document that specifies a contingent

relationship between• The completion of a specific behavior and• Access to a specified reinforcer




• Components– Description of the task

• Who will perform the task/receive reward• What is the task to be performed• When the task must be completed• How well the task must be completed




• Components– Reward

• Who will judge task completion• What is the reward• When the reward will be delivered• How much of the reward the person will receive




• Components– Task Record

• A place to record progress– Sets occasion for regular review of the contract– Helps individual remain focused and gives feedback

on performance




• How do they work?– Typically a package that involves:

• Reinforcement• Rules• Response prompting

– Can even be a self-contract



Contingency Contract• Steps to developing one

– Hold a meeting to discuss how contracts work, goals, etc.

– Identify tasks individuals can and already do perform

– Identify potential contracting tasks– Identify potential rewards– Write the contract




• Things to consider– Is the behavior already in the learner’s

repertoire?– Does the behavior result in a permanent

product?– What is the reading ability of the learner?




• Evaluating Contracts– Focus on the objective measure of the

target behavior



Token Economy

• Definition– A behavior change system with three major

components• Specified list of behaviors to reinforce• Tokens or points for emitting those behaviors• A menu of back-up reinforcers for which the

learner can exchange tokens/points

(Effectiveness of tokens as reinforcers depends upon the power of the back-up reinforcers)



Token Economy

• Designing a Token Economy– Select tokens– Identify target behaviors/rules– Select menu of back-up reinforcers– Establish ratio exchange– Specify when/how tokens will be dispensed

and exchanged– Field test



Token Economy• Select Tokens

– Washers, checkers, coupons, poker chips, tally marks, holes punched in cards…

– Considerations• Safe• Control counterfeiting and bootlegging• Durable• Accessible• Cheap• Token should not be a desirable object



Token Economy

• Identify Target Behaviors and Rules (see Ch. 3)– Select measurable/observable behaviors– Specify criteria for task completion– Start with a small number of behaviors– Ensure learners possess prerequisite skills– It is okay to individualize…rules don’t have to be

the same for everybody



Token Economy

• Select a Menu of Back-up Reinforcers– Use naturally-occurring activities when possible– Privileges– Tangibles and edibles can be used as well– Follow ethical and legal rules



Token Economy

• Establish a Ratio of Exchange– Initial ratio should be small– After that, adjust ratio for maintenance

• Procedure for Dispensation– May need storage containers

• Procedure for Exchange– Usually a “store” of some sort– Initially, have store open frequently– Over time, this can be more intermittent



Token Economy

• Field Test the System– Tally tokens you would have given without actually

giving them– Analyze data to determine if the system seems

appropriate



Token Economy

• Tips– Avoiding “Battles”

• Be matter of fact when learners don’t earn tokens; don’t nag

• Stay neutral; avoid confrontation about tokens

– Response cost included?• Most do include response cost• Learners need to be aware of behaviors resulting in

response cost/procedures• Make the cost fit the severity of behavior• Avoid having learners go “in the hole”



Token Economy

• Implementation– Initial training

• Describe the procedure to learners• Model the procedure for token delivery• Model the procedure for token exchange

– Ongoing training• Booster sessions may be needed occasionally

– Management issues• Teach students how/where to store tokens (secure location)• Discourage hoarding and encourage savings in some students• Chronic rule breakers deserve special consideration



Token Economy

• Implementation– Withdrawing the token economy

• Plan for maintenance and generalization• Pair tokens with social approval• Gradually increase number of responses required to earn

tokens• Gradually decrease length of time it is in place• Gradually increase number of “natural” reinforcers and fade out

use of contrived reinforcers• Systematically increase price of more desirable items• Fade physical evidence of token over time



Token Economy

• Considerations– Can be intrusive and difficult to implement– Can be cumbersome– Can be so rewarding to interventionist that he/she doesn’t

want to remove it– Ensure it doesn’t run counter to Federal mandates



Group Contingencies

• Definition– A common consequence is contingent on

the behavior of• An individual member of the group,• Part of the group, or• Everyone in the group



Group Contingencies

• Rationale– Can be a time saver– Can be more practical– Capitalizes on peer influence and peer

monitoring (can also be potentially harmful)



Group Contingencies

• Applications– Independent group contingency

• A contingency is presented to all members of a group, but reinforcement is only delivered to those individuals who meet the criterion outlined in the contingency

• Often combined with contracts or token systems



Group Contingencies

• Applications– Dependent group contingency, AKA “Hero

Procedure”• The reinforcer for the group is dependent on

the performance of an individual student or small group of students



Group Contingencies

• Applications– Interdependent group contingency

• All of the individuals in a group must meet the criterion of the contingency before any member earns reinforcement

– Total group meets criterion– Group average meets criterion– Good Behavior/Good Student games (competitions)



Group Contingencies

• Implementation– Choose a powerful reinforcer– Determine the behavior to change and collateral

behaviors that might be affected– Set appropriate performance criteria– Combine with other procedures– Select the most appropriate group contingency– Monitor individual and group performance

Documents

Cooper, Heron, and Heward Applied Behavior Analysis, Second Edition Copyright © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved Chapter 26: Contingency