Contingency Contracting Definition Is a behavioral contract Specifies

Contingency Contracting

Definition • Is a behavioral contract • Specifies a contingent relationship between • The completion of a specific behavior and • Access to a specified reinforcer or delivery of a punisher

Some Components / Description • Who will perform the task • What is the task to be performed • When the task must be completed • How well the task must be completed • What is the reward or punisher and how will it be delivered.

Who will Perform the Task • Usually is an individual • Groups • Must have clear guidelines • What is expected by each person in the group • May use group evaluation • May have group consequences

What is the Task • Need to identify what the task is • What are the parameters for successful task completion or non-completion • Must be explicit. • Can negotiate with the client or group • Can use an acceleration or decelerating scale for the behavior change • Must be realistic • An outside observer should be able to identify if the client performed the task

Task Monitoring Specifics • Is a place to record progress • Can be simple or complex • Writing on paper • Excel Spreadsheet • Sets occasion for regular review of the contract • Helps individual remain focused • Gives feedback on performance • Identifies when the task is completed

Contract Specifics • Typically involves: • Reinforcement or punishment for the behavior • Rules for emitting or not emitting the behavior • Prompting strategies • Other aspects of importance • Can be a self-contract

Other Things to Note • Who will judge task completion • What is the reward or punisher • When the reward or punisher to be be delivered • How much will the person receive

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

Final Things to Consider • • Can the person or group actually do the behavior. 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? • Contracts must be realistic • Must focus on the objective behaviors • Can use other ABA techniques (prompts, etc. )

Conclusions • Can be an effective way to change behavior • Can go on extinction when the contract expires • Need to build in ongoing monitoring techniques. • Can stop doing the contract