A Systematic Review of Dependent Group Contingencies (1970–2019)

Dependent group contingencies offer an efficient way to improve the behavior of an entire group of students, as the performance of only one or a few students needs to be monitored at a time. Prior literature reviews outlined the use of group contingency interventions with children in educational settings; however, these reviews did not exclusively examine dependent group contingencies or the varied conditions under which this intervention has been implemented. The purpose of this review was to classify the settings, populations, outcome measures, intervention components, and procedural parameters of dependent group contingencies across the research literature. We completed electronic database searches between 1970 and 2019 for experimental studies in APA PsycINFO, ERIC, CINAHL, CINHAL Complete, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, Education Source, Academic Search Ultimate, and ProQuest and ancestral searches for the exact terms “dependent group contingenc*” OR “dependent group-oriented contingenc*” in the title, abstract, or author-defined keywords. The results of our review are summarized and discussed in terms of directions for future research and implications for practice.

Effect of Group Contingency Type on Walking: Comparisons of Effectiveness and Cost Efficiency

Group contingency (GC) is an effective and cost-efficient strategy that can be successfully applied to technology-based interventions. This study examined the relative effectiveness and cost efficiency of three types of technology-based group contingencies on walking among adults. Seventy two students were divided into teams of three. Each team was randomly assigned to one of three GC conditions (independent, interdependent, or dependent) and underwent 66 days of technology-based group contingency intervention. Sixty five participants completed the intervention and 61 completed the follow-up assessment 2 months later. Step counts and self-reported walking activity increased after the intervention under all three conditions. The proportion of participants that met the target step counts was significantly higher under the dependent group contingency condition. However, 2 months later, intervention effects were not maintained under any condition. For cost efficiency, the increase in step count per point was significantly higher under the interdependent group contingency condition. Group cohesion and social validity (point satisfaction and point utility) were significantly higher under the dependent group contingency condition. Finally, the clinical implications and limitations of this study are discussed.

Independent and Dependent Group Contingencies

Group contingencies include the arrangement of a common consequence for responding by members of a group. Independent group contingencies involve a common consequence being delivered to an individual student based on her performance. Dependent group contingencies involve the consequence being delivered to the entire group based on the performance of an individual or small group of students. Numerous variables may be altered in a group contingency and arranging an effective intervention requires planful incorporation of each. This chapter reviews the components of independent and dependent group contingencies and considerations when designing and implementing group contingencies in educational settings.

Good Behavior Game: History and Modern Trends. Part 2

The Good Behavior Game is a procedure aimed to change the behavior of all members of the student group through an interdependent group contingency. The issues regarding maintenance and generalization of the changes, produced by the Game, including possible support tactics and generalization tactics are discussed in present paper. The cross-cultural aspects of the application of the procedure are also described, as well as the information about what kind of reaction the application of the procedure evokes in teachers and what changes occur in their behavior. Some possible modifications of the procedure are presented, among which are the Caught Being Good Game, the Good Inclusion Game and the Good Student Game.

Good Behavior Game: History and Modern Trends

The Good Behavior Game is a behavioral procedure aimed to change the behavior of all members of the student group through an interdependent group contingency. Since the middle of 60s years of XX century the Game is used in primary school and preschool groups, as well as in the secondary and high school, in different cultural contexts and in the context of inclusive education also. In presented paper the following points are reflected: the history of the development of the procedure, typical options for conducting, possible categories of participants, types of the aimed behavior, studies of the effectiveness of the Game usage and the factors influencing it. The paper includes step-by-step description of the one of the possible ways of conducting the procedure. Special attention is paid to the issue of using the Game in groups, which include students with autism. The existing precedents are analyzed. The theoretical perspectives for conducting the Game in such conditions are discussed including methodological base and the match between the procedure and cognitive features, which are often found in people with ASD.

Improving Reciprocal Conversation and Social Preference of Children With Autism

Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often have difficulties initiating and maintaining reciprocal conversations with others. In this study, we examined if an interdependent group contingency would improve reciprocal conversation of children with ASD when they were paired as conversational partners. We also assessed children’s social preference through their choices between spending time with their peers or by themselves. In a multiple-baseline design, we found that the group contingency immediately produced independent reciprocal conversational responses, sustained conversational exchanges, and increased preference for peers across all participants. Improvements were further maintained even after the group contingency was removed and novel peers were introduced.