Interdependent Group Contingencies

Interdependent group contingencies involve a common consequence based on the behavior of all members of the group, as groups may have to meet a behavioral criterion together or all group members must meet a criterion to access a consequence. Interventions such as the Good Behavior Game, Peer Reporting Interventions, and mystery motivators are examples of interdependent group contingencies that utilize peer influence to improve appropriate behaviors in classrooms. This chapter discusses implementation issues with group contingencies, including target behavior selection, classroom training, addressing group sabotage, and managing contingencies. This chapter also discusses considerations of diversity and equity within interdependent group contingencies.

Interdependent Group Rewards: Rewarding On-Task Behavior Versus Academic Performance in an Eighth-Grade Classroom Serving Students With Emotional and Behavioral Disorders

An alternating treatments design was used to evaluate and compare the effects of two interdependent group contingencies on the academic performance, on-task behavior, and disruptive behavior of eighth-grade students in a social studies class. All students were enrolled in a self-contained alternative school for students with behavior problems. Delivering rewards contingent upon participants’ average percent correct enhanced on-task behavior and percent correct on independent seatwork assignments; however, delivering rewards contingent upon participants’ on-task behavior yielded more consistent and larger increases in percent correct and on-task behavior. Neither group contingency resulted in consistent or meaningful changes in disruptive behavior. Theoretical and applied implications related to direct and indirect effects of interdependent group rewards are discussed along with directions for future research.

Effects of Obtrusive Observation and Rules on Classroom Behavior of Adolescents in a Juvenile Residential Treatment Setting

Several studies have used interdependent group contingencies to decrease disruptive behavior and increase appropriate behavior for groups of adolescents. In addition, one study demonstrated that rules plus feedback about rule violations, without additional group contingencies, decreased problem behavior and increased appropriate behavior for adolescents in three classrooms within a residential juvenile facility. Given the rapid behavior change observed in the aforementioned study, it is possible behavior changes were produced by reactivity to obtrusive observation from program implementers. To address this question, we used two A-B designs in conjunction with the conservative dual-criterion (CDC) method to evaluate the extent to which obtrusive observation alone and rules, without systematic consequences, decreased problem behaviors in two classrooms within a residential juvenile facility. Results from visual and CDC analyses indicate that (a) obtrusive observation did not affect problem behavior in either classroom and (b) rules decreased problem behavior in both classrooms and increased appropriate behavior in one classroom. In addition, a measure of social validity indicated that the procedures and outcomes were acceptable to the classroom teacher.

Effects of Rules and Feedback on Classroom Behavior of Adolescents in a Residential Treatment Setting

Over the past 30 years, researchers have shown that various types of group contingency procedures can decrease problem behavior displayed by young children in academic settings. Recently, researchers have demonstrated that presession rules, within-session feedback, and interdependent group contingencies (i.e., contingently delivered tangible and edible items) increased appropriate behavior displayed by detained adolescents in a residential treatment facility. Nevertheless, it is possible that rules with feedback about rule violations could produce comparable outcomes. To address this question, we used a nonconcurrent multiple baseline design across classrooms to evaluate the extent to which rules, visual feedback (i.e., marks on a board denoting rule violations), and postsession feedback decreased problem behaviors in three classrooms within a residential detention facility. Results indicate that problem behavior decreased to less than 10% of observation intervals in each classroom. Results from a social validity measure indicate that the procedures and outcomes were acceptable to the respective classroom teachers.

Group Contingencies to Increase Appropriate Behaviors in the Classroom: Tips for Success

Group contingencies are effective classroom-based interventions that can be used to increase the academic engagement of students with disabilities. This article defines and outlines examples of dependent, independent, and interdependent group contingencies. In addition, tips for success, including making reinforcement accessible to students, pairing reinforcement with behavior-specific praise, integrating self-monitoring, and providing a visual display of progress toward reinforcement, are discussed. Strategies for preventing challenges to implementation are also discussed.