USE OF AN INDEPENDENT GROUP CONTINGENCY MANAGEMENT-SYSTEM IN A REGULAR CLASSROOM SETTING

This paper examines the usefulness of an independent group contingency system for decreasing inappropriate behaviors. Twenty-five fourth-gra de students enrolled in a regular class setting participated in this i ntervention, which involved a public posting system using positive rei nforcement for desired behaviors. The program involved identification of target behaviors, collection of baseline data, program implementati on, and follow-up. Targeted behaviors showed marked decreases across t he 8-week treatment period and remained at this level through the end of the school year. Positive and negative factors influencing the effe ctiveness of the independent group contingency approach are reviewed. A second aspect of this paper is to discuss teacher-related variables that can influence the success of a management program developed by a psychological consultant.