The Contingency Contract Technique: How Does It Work? – Being Parents

On many occasions, children and adolescents behave in ways that are not appropriate, when they are younger, because they do not understand what is wrong with what they are doing, and when. they are teenagers, to attract attention or wreak havoc. These behaviors must be modified and, for this, the technique of the contingency contract is very effective.

This technique can also be used in a classroom where there is chaos, where there is no motivation on the part of the students, and where the teacher’s instructions are not followed.

Are you having difficulty changing some of your children’s inappropriate behaviors? The contingency contract technique can be useful because, to change behavior, you have to intervene. If you want to know more about this tool, we invite you to read on.

What is the technique of the contingency contract?

This technique consists in establishing an agreement or a contract between several parties ; it can be one or more tutors (parents, teachers, etc.), and the person being tutored. This agreement reflects the desired behaviors that are expected of them and, if adhered to, will provide positive reinforcement.

This technique would be part of behavior modification techniques derived from classical and instrumental conditioning. The goal is to change inappropriate behaviors in children and adolescents through positive reinforcement.

What is positive reinforcement?

In operant conditioning, positive reinforcement is key. It consists in giving a positive impulse after a behavior or a conduct that we want to establish.

The reinforcer should be something the person likes and finds pleasurable. It could be something physical, like ice cream, a favorite food, a toy, or something emotional, like a compliment or motivational words.

Before giving positive reinforcement, you need to know in advance which reinforcers will work best for each person, and that, of course, is up to your taste. It is not the same thing that would motivate a teenager (going to the movies with friends, a night’s sleep at a friend’s house) as a child (a toy, playing with parents, etc.).

The booster must therefore be personalized for each according to their needs and tastes. The booster must be applied correctly, otherwise it will not work. Therefore, it must be applied immediately and consecutively to the behavior. If it is not done this way, it will have no effect.

How to establish the contingency contract?

The contract must be written and signed by both parties. It is important that this contract is accepted by the parties concerned, so that it is fair and non-binding.

What are the basic rules to be taken into account for the execution of the contract?

• The behaviors we want to achieve must be clear and simple, so that they are understood by children and adolescents. For example: “do your homework”; “make your bed” ; “Put your dirty clothes in the laundry basket”. We should avoid writing things like “behave well”.

• Behaviors should be structured step by step so that children and adolescents can understand them easily. For example: “Study for next week’s language exam” instead of “pass the whole course”.
• The consequences should be clear and focus on the positive reinforcement they will get if they adopt the behaviors provided for in the contract.
• Positive reinforcement should be enjoyable situations or objects for children and should provide them with variety and consistency, depending on what has been achieved in the desired behavior. That is, if big steps are taken, the reinforcements will be more important than if the steps are small.
• It is important to be consistent and that there is a commitment when the reinforcements are made. If the behavior is respected, there will be reinforcement, and if not, there is no need for reinforcement. This is essential for the technique to be effective.

• It is essential that children see that the contract is something serious that is respected, because otherwise the children will see it as something unfair and will not take it seriously.

Regarding the technique of the contingency contract …

The technique of the contingency contract can be applied in many contexts : at home, at school, in academies … If this technique is handled and applied correctly, it will improve the understanding between the two parties to the contract and will also increase the motivation of children to change their behavior.

In short, children will take responsibility for their actions and will be more proud and confident when they are given the reinforcements necessary to have adopted the behavior stipulated in the contract.

If your child has behavioral problems, you can use this technique, but if it doesn’t work, you need to turn to a professional for personalized advice.