Group Contingency Research Articles

Improving Behavior in a Self-Contained Elementary Classroom for Students With Emotional or Behavioral Disorders: A Study of CW-FIT

Class-wide Function-related Intervention Teams (CW-FIT) is a classroom management intervention in which teachers incorporate positive behavior support (PBS) principles by teaching specific classroom expectations and providing feedback on student behavior as part of an interdependent group contingency. Interventions like CW-FIT may be helpful for students with emotional or behavioral disorders (EBD), as such students often struggle to succeed in school. In the present replication study, researchers examined the effects of CW-FIT in a self-contained elementary EBD classroom. One teacher and her five students with EBD participated. Researchers used an A-B-A-B withdrawal design with maintenance probes to examine changes in students’ on-task behavior, as well as teacher praise and reprimand rates. Results revealed the teacher was able to implement CW-FIT with fidelity with corresponding increases in student on-task behavior and teacher praise, though there was little effect on teacher reprimands. The teacher and the students found CW-FIT to be socially valid. Results suggest CW-FIT can be an effective classroom management intervention in self-contained elementary EBD classrooms.

Using a Group Stimulus Preference Assessment to Design an Effective Group Contingency

Using a Group Stimulus Preference Assessment to Design an Effective Group Contingency

Tootling: current research and future considerations for school practitioners

Tootling is an interdependent group contingency designed as an intervention to be implemented in classrooms in order to meet students’ vast behavioral and academic needs by increasing academically engaged behavior, decreasing disruptive behavior, and subsequently leading to increases in student academic achievement. Tootling supports a positive classroom climate by providing teachers with an opportunity to use classroom management strategies to address inappropriate student behavior. This article reviewed the available literature on tootling studies in order to determine gaps for future research. Next steps for school psychologists involving tootling research is discussed including future lines of tootling research and the importance of tootling for school-based practitioners. More research is necessitated to understand more about tootling and its implications for school psychologists.

Independent and interdependent group contingencies to increase on‐task work behavior among adults with intellectual disabilities

Independent and interdependent group contingencies to increase on‐task work behavior among adults with intellectual disabilities

Variations of the Dependent Group Contingency and Effects on Employee Performance

ABSTRACT Dependent group contingencies have been applied across several segments of the population to address various acquisition and performance problems, but little research has been conducted to better understand how employee performance may be sensitive to different preparations of the dependent group contingency. The current study evaluated the effects of two variations of a dependent group contingency on weekly graph completion by direct care staff. One variation consisted of the designated direct care staff being identified and the other consisted of the designated direct care staff remaining anonymous. The results showed that both variations were effective at increasing direct care staff’s graph completion relative to baseline and that the anonymous variation resulted in direct care staff completing the highest percentage of work.

A systematic literature review of group contingencies with adults

AbstractA group contingency is one in which a common consequence (e.g., a reinforcer or a punisher) is contingent on the behavior of one member of a group, the behavior of part of a group, or the behavior of every member in a group. The most commonly used group contingencies in behavior‐analytic practice and research include interdependent, independent, and dependent group contingencies. Group contingencies are advantageous for multiple reasons, including their versatility, as they have been demonstrated to be effective across individuals, settings, and behaviors. Additionally, they are efficient as they can facilitate behavior change in multiple individuals at once. Previous literature reviews have supported the use of group contingencies with children; however, there has yet to be a systematic literature review conducted on group contingencies with adults. Because group contingencies have multiple benefits, it is important that a literature review be conducted to assess the evidence of these interventions when implemented with adults. A literature review of studies utilizing group contingencies with adults was conducted. Trends across studies, the efficacy of different group contingencies, clinical implications, and recommendations for future research are provided.

A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis of Single-Case Group Contingency Interventions Targeting Prosocial and Antisocial Behavior in School Children

Group contingencies are well established as methods for reducing disruptive classroom behaviors and increasing academic behaviors. However, their role in increasing prosocial behaviors has not yet been explored to the same extent. We conducted a systematic review of the single-case literature to synthesize the types of prosocial and antisocial behaviors targeted in school settings, the short-term and long-term behavioral contingencies used to target these behaviors, and the quality of the literature. We searched five databases for studies exploring the use of group contingencies to increase prosocial behaviors or decrease antisocial behaviors in children. Our narrative synthesis of the twenty-two included studies noted contingencies employed in these interventions consisted of either positive reinforcement or a combination of positive reinforcement and positive punishment. Of the 22 studies included for review, none met the What Works Clearinghouse Design Standards without reservations. Interobserver agreement and demonstration of effects over time were the most commonly unmet design standards. Future research should seek to encourage greater focus on both prosocial behavior and positive behavior change mechanisms. PROSPERO ID: CRD42022337025.

Managing Student Behavior in Middle School Special Education Classrooms: A Single-Subject Study of CW-FIT

Teachers have the responsibility of managing student classroom behavior. The positive effects of evidence-based classroom management methods, like Class-Wide Function-related Intervention Teams (CW-FIT), have been demonstrated in a variety of settings; however, research on the efficacy of CW-FIT in special education classrooms is scarce. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of CW-FIT in two middle school special education math classrooms. Teachers implemented CW-FIT by instructing students in classroom behavior expectations and using a group contingency involving the use of teams, a timer, praise, points, and group rewards. One teacher alternated between using an audible and inaudible timer, while the other used an audible timer. There was an increase in student on-task behavior and teacher praise when CW-FIT was implemented, with no significant difference in outcomes between conditions with an audible versus inaudible timer. Teachers and students indicated that they found the intervention to be socially valid.

Effects of the Good Behaviour Game on the Behaviour of Students with Mild Intellectual Disabilities in Physical Education Settings

ABSTRACT The Good Behaviour Game (GBG) is an interdependent group contingency intervention, previously shown to be effective in managing students’ behaviour across several studies. An ABAB withdrawal design was implemented to examine the effects of the GBG on the engagement and disruptive behaviours of 12 students diagnosed principally with a mild intellectual disability (Mage = 7.83 ± 0.83 years) enrolled in two self-contained physical education classes. The first phase of the intervention was carried out from November 27th until Janvier 25th and the second phase took place from April 2nd to May 10th. Video recordings of all sessions were directly observed and analysed using a code unit grid. The collected data were subjected to inferential statistical analysis. Results showed a significant increase in engagement and a decrease in disruptive behaviours during the B1 conditions compared to the baseline A1 for both class ‘A’ and ‘B’ (p < 0.001). Similarly, there was a significant increase in engagement and a decrease in disruptive behaviours during the B2 conditions compared to both the A2 and A1 baselines (p < 0.001). Overall, this study demonstrates the effectiveness of the GBG as an intervention for promoting engagement and reducing disruptive behaviours when implemented in physical education settings with students diagnosed with mild intellectual disabilities.

Using Behavior Skills Training and a Group Contingency to Promote Mask-Wearing in an Early Childhood Special Education Classroom

Using Behavior Skills Training and a Group Contingency to Promote Mask-Wearing in an Early Childhood Special Education Classroom

Pilot study testing the effects of a multicomponent intervention for increasing moderate-intensity physical exercise.

Physical inactivity has been associated with several health problems, including diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. Although many of these health problems are preventable through regular exercise, a small percentage of the adult population engages in the recommended levels. Reinforcement-based interventions have been implemented successfully to promote physical activity, but studies targeting moderate or vigorous physical exercise using behavior-analytic interventions are scarce. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the feasibility of a multicomponent intervention that provided monetary incentives for increasing running, jogging, or brisk walking distance for five adults. The intervention lasted 6 weeks and comprised weekly goal setting, feedback, public posting, and group contingencies. The results of the study suggest that the intervention may be feasible and effective at increasing moderate physical activity to levels recommended by the federal guidelines, but further research is warranted.

Evaluation of a Novel Independent Group Contingency in an Alternative School.

We evaluated a novel group contingency arrangement designed to address implementation barriers commonly cited by teachers in alternative education. Barriers include implementer effort, disruption caused by delivering feedback to students, students sabotaging the game, and students maximizing disruption when they know the reinforcement criterion. To address these barriers, we decreased implementer effort using the principles of time sampling, omitted feedback for rule violations, arranged an independent group contingency to address sabotage, and did not disclose reinforcement criteria to students. The intervention produced marked reductions in disruption across four alternative middle- and high-school classes.

Impact of Behavior Modification on Female Campers’ Physical Activity in Summer Camp

In order to combat rampant health and wellness deterioration over the summer months, residential summer camps have been presented as a possible solution to thwart such declines in overall health and wellbeing. The purpose of this study was to determine the differential effects of prompting, and prompting combined with reinforcement on female campers’ step counts at a residential summer camp. The participants in this study were 104 female campers (Mage = 13.71), all attending the same residential summer camp. An alternating treatment design was implemented to evaluate campers’ daily physical activity across three conditions (baseline, prompting, and prompting combined with contingent reinforcement) throughout the duration of the 51 days camp experience. In accordance with standard Applied Behavior Analysis research, data were plotted graphically in order to employ visual analysis to determine functional relationships between the intervention (prompting only, prompting plus group contingency, and target behavior [step count]). Results of this study indicate that prompting with group contingencies (29%) and without (13%) successfully led to an increased amount of daily physical activity. Further, small variance within the group contingency group illustrates the breadth of success for this technique. This is the first comprehensive intervention focused primarily on influencing female campers’ physical activity levels in the residential camp context and demonstrates a cost-effective strategy for improving activity among female campers.

Evaluating the Efficacy of Behavior Modification Strategies on Physical Activity Levels Among Incarcerated Youth.

This study examined the impact of prompting only and prompting combined with independent group-oriented contingency on incarcerated adolescent males' physical activity level during a sport-leadership program. An alternating treatment design was employed to allow for the evaluation among multiple treatment conditions. The study occurred during 35 consecutive sport programming lessons at a juvenile correctional facility. Participants were 16 adolescent males (Mage = 18.79). Two behavior modification strategies, prompting only and prompting combined with independent group-oriented contingency, were employed. Data were plotted graphically so visual analysis could be determined in order to explore any functional associations between the treatment conditions (e.g., interventions) and target behavior (e.g., step count). Prompting only slightly increased physical activity, whereas prompting in conjunction with independent group-oriented contingency elevated activity levels by 36%, with a smaller standard deviation indicating that all participants were equivalently physically active. The results of this study underpin the expansive benefits of sport-leadership programming, not just in similar programs' ability to develop life skill integration, positively impact life during incarceration, improve attitudes, and promote physical activity, but also to provide elevated opportunities for youth to be physically active.

Technology-Supported Implementation of an Interdependent Group Contingency Intervention for Classroom Behavior Management

The Good Behavior Game (GBG) is an interdependent group-oriented contingency management system successfully used in school settings to promote positive student behaviors. As a classroom management intervention, there is a large body of evidence for it increasing desirable classroom behaviors and decreasing problem behaviors across a range of student populations. Recent studies have also demonstrated that a positive reinforcement-focused version of the GBG can be successfully implemented using a software application. The purpose of this article is to provide a brief overview of the GBG and its evidence base and describe the steps for implementing the GBG with a freely available software application for classroom management.

Improving Secondary Student Classroom Behavior With an IGC

It is important classroom teachers have efficient tools to support student demonstration of expected classroom behaviors as contextually inappropriate behavior can impede learning. This is of particular importance in secondary settings given overreliance on punitive strategies (e.g., suspension). Interdependent group contingencies have been shown to be effective with students and can be efficiently integrated into existing classroom management systems. In this article, we provide a process to support practitioners in developing an interdependent group contingency for their secondary classrooms. Steps and considerations for adolescent learners with diverse characteristics are provided to support teacher implementation.

A Systematic Review of Group Contingencies in Alternative Education Settings

A Systematic Review of Group Contingencies in Alternative Education Settings

Physiological characterization of instrumental learning in the spinal cord using the Paw Withdrawal Learning paradigm

Following spinal cord injury (SCI), sensory and motor functions are severely disrupted yet the spinal circuitry below the injury site continues to maintain active and functional neuronal properties (Edgerton, 2004). The spinal cord is endogenously capable of several forms of adaptive plasticity, including functional re-training with exercise, instrumental, and Pavlovian learning. The paw withdrawal learning (PaWL) paradigm represents a simple spinal instrumental learning model (Jindrich 2019). Briefly, in mice whose spinal cords are completely transected (ST) at mid-thoracic (T7-T9) level, the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle is given a sub maximal threshold shock to a hind leg when the leg is extended below a 1mm imposed threshold from a baseline starting position. The contingent group mice learn to maintain the shocked leg, in a flexed position while the experimentally coupled noncontingent group of mice do not acquire the flexed position. To demonstrate the acquisition of the flexed paw hold is mediated through muscle-specific proprioceptive inputs and a time dependent modification of the spinal interneuronal network associated with the TA motor pool, we measured the TA muscle activity using acute EMG during PaWL in both Contingent stim and non-contingent stim groups. To demonstrate that TA specific sensory afferents are critical in PaWL, we blocked the proprioceptive muscle and the cutaneous afferents using Lidocaine. During PaWL, the TA muscle showed significant EMG activity when compared to medial gastrocnemius and vastus lateralis muscles. We detected greater TA muscle activity in the Contingent stim compared to the non-contingent groups. The significant increase in the EMG amplitude in the TA muscle and time-frequency and power relationships in the contingent group, but not the non-contingent group, suggests that the successful learning requires a temporal engagement of the spinal sensorimotor network. CSULA Mini-Grant 2020 and Joseph/Gomez-Pinilla R01NS056413 (Diversity Supplement) This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2023 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

More than Just a Game: A Guide to Using Randomized Group Contingencies in Schools

Group contingencies are evidence-based behavioral interventions frequently employed in educational settings. Group contingencies are composed of four distinct parameters: (1) a criterion, (2) a reward, (3) target students, and (4) target behaviors. Although it is common practice for teachers to reveal these parameters to students before the intervention begins (i.e. a traditional group contingency), doing so may threaten intervention effectiveness, acceptability and feasibility. One approach that has emerged in the literature to protect against these threats is randomizing group contingencies. In randomized group contingencies, some or all parameters of the group contingency are undisclosed to students to safeguard against the aforementioned threats. Given the need for maximally effective, empirically supported behavioral interventions in schools, a practical guide to using randomized group contingencies in classrooms could be useful to educators. Thus, the goal of this paper is threefold: (a) to identify drawbacks of traditional group contingencies that threaten to adversely impact their effectiveness and acceptability in schools, (b) to describe how randomized group contingencies can protect against those threats, and (c) to outline practical advantages of using randomized group contingencies in schools.

A Meta-Analysis of Behavior Interventions for Students With Emotional-Behavioral Disorders in Self-Contained Settings

Students with emotional-behavioral disorders (EBDs) often learn in alternative classroom settings to provide more intensive instruction that meets their educational needs. Although research has demonstrated promise for several behavior intervention practices in general education settings, the generalizability of these practices to more restricted environments is unknown. Thus, this meta-analysis aimed to examine the class-wide behavior interventions tested in self-contained learning environments for students with EBDs. Studies investigating behavioral interventions in alternative elementary settings were systematically screened. Fifteen studies with 20 effect sizes met inclusion criteria and results from each study were synthesized. An estimated average effect was calculated ( g = 0.93, SE = 0.16), demonstrating that tested interventions are typically effective in self-contained learning environments to improve student behaviors. A thematic analysis and multi-level meta-regression were conducted to determine which elements are most beneficial to students in these unique learning environments. Results indicated that interventions that included relational supports, such as daily parent communication, differentially benefited students ( B = 1.26, SE = 0.15). Limitations include the small number of studies meeting inclusion criteria that have investigated behavior interventions in self-contained settings and the need for improved research quality. Implications suggest support for adapting standardized practice elements, such as group contingencies, to improve student behaviors in multiple learning environments.