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