1. Chapter 26: Contingency Contracting, Token Economy, and Group Contingencies
Cooper, Heron, and Heward
Applied Behavior Analysis, Second Edition

2. 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
Cooper, Heron, and Heward
Applied Behavior Analysis, Second Edition

3. Contingency Contract 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
Cooper, Heron, and Heward
Applied Behavior Analysis, Second Edition

4. Contingency Contract 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
Cooper, Heron, and Heward
Applied Behavior Analysis, Second Edition

5. Contingency Contract 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
Cooper, Heron, and Heward
Applied Behavior Analysis, Second Edition

6. Contingency Contract How do they work?
Typically a package that involves:
Reinforcement
Rules
Response prompting
Can even be a self-contract
Cooper, Heron, and Heward
Applied Behavior Analysis, Second Edition

7. 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
Cooper, Heron, and Heward
Applied Behavior Analysis, Second Edition

8. Contingency 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?
Cooper, Heron, and Heward
Applied Behavior Analysis, Second Edition

9. Contingency Contract Evaluating Contracts
Focus on the objective measure of the target behavior
Cooper, Heron, and Heward
Applied Behavior Analysis, Second Edition

10. 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)
Cooper, Heron, and Heward
Applied Behavior Analysis, Second Edition

11. 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
Cooper, Heron, and Heward
Applied Behavior Analysis, Second Edition

12. 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
Cooper, Heron, and Heward
Applied Behavior Analysis, Second Edition

13. 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
Cooper, Heron, and Heward
Applied Behavior Analysis, Second Edition

14. 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
Cooper, Heron, and Heward
Applied Behavior Analysis, Second Edition

15. Token Economy Establish a Ratio of Exchange Procedure for Dispensation
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
Cooper, Heron, and Heward
Applied Behavior Analysis, Second Edition

16. 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
Cooper, Heron, and Heward
Applied Behavior Analysis, Second Edition

17. Token Economy Tips Avoiding “Battles” Response cost included?
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”
Cooper, Heron, and Heward
Applied Behavior Analysis, Second Edition

18. Token Economy Implementation Initial training Ongoing 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
Cooper, Heron, and Heward
Applied Behavior Analysis, Second Edition

19. 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
Cooper, Heron, and Heward
Applied Behavior Analysis, Second Edition

20. 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
Cooper, Heron, and Heward
Applied Behavior Analysis, Second Edition

21. 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
Cooper, Heron, and Heward
Applied Behavior Analysis, Second Edition

22. Group Contingencies Rationale Can be a time saver
Can be more practical
Capitalizes on peer influence and peer monitoring (can also be potentially harmful)
Cooper, Heron, and Heward
Applied Behavior Analysis, Second Edition

23. 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
Cooper, Heron, and Heward
Applied Behavior Analysis, Second Edition

24. 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
Cooper, Heron, and Heward
Applied Behavior Analysis, Second Edition

25. 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)
Cooper, Heron, and Heward
Applied Behavior Analysis, Second Edition

26. 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
Cooper, Heron, and Heward
Applied Behavior Analysis, Second Edition