Let's talk about group projects. We all have experienced some cringe worthy assignments when not all members are willing to do what is needed. But fret not, today I want to talk about group contingencies (insert eye roll and/or sighs of relief here).
I work in a school system where, let's face it, the number one concern is classroom management. Class size can vary from less than 5 students to over 30 and that can cause a problem when determining how to make the environment reinforcing for all. This is where the magical group contingency comes in. The basic idea is that reinforcement is available for every student if they comply with the academic and behavioral demands (this will be determined before implementing a group contingency) and there are three variations
1. Independent Group Contingency: Only the students who meet the criteria will get the reinforcement. This is a challenge due to the amount of reinforcement that needs to be given out at the end of a trial (especially of its tangible items). In a classroom setting this could be as simple as giving a few extra points on a quiz for every student that turned in their homework for the whole week.
- Everyday Example: Only runners who run the full 26.2 miles and cross the finish line get a medal of completion.
(Happy runner knows what he is working for)
2. Dependent Group Contingency: An individual of the group (random selection) is chosen and if they have met the criteria the entire group gets the reinforcement. This has some ethical concerns because if the individual is known to the group they can be a hero or they could be a huge let down. Best is to keep it anonymous. In a school setting an example would be a randomly selected quiz is picked and if they have an 80% or higher the whole class gets a night off of homework.
- Everyday Example: Lottery pooling with coworkers, everyone on your team gets a few Megabucks tickets and hope that a randomly selected ticket is one in your group. Then you all get private islands!
3. Interdependent Group Contingency: Everyone gets reinforcement if everyone complies. Before a midterm a review was assigned, if the entire class fills it out they can all use it on the midterm. If one student doesn't complete it then the whole class cannot use the review regardless if they individually completed it or not.
- Everyday Example: A bar requires a trivia team to be at least 4 people if you only have 3 people show up, none of you can play trivia. Then you look like Dawson, and no one wants to be an ugly crier.
So get a group together and make it to the reinforcing finish line. Go Team!
