Dana Do’s: Which Group Contingency Do I Use?

Group contingencies. How do you know which one to use? Do you just use one and see? Well actually, they are each intended to have their own unique impact– not interchangeable.

The independent group contingency: now logically speaking isn’t that just life? Aren’t we all, considering all things are equal, on the independent group contingency? You do the thing, you get reinforcement. You don’t do the thing, you don’t. In terms of application, if you want the participants to learn to be independent and rely on themselves, experiencing the benefit of their own success, use this one. This is every man for himself.

But if you want to build group cohesiveness, working together in a common goal, then you may consider the interdependent group contingency. Since every participant must meet some part of the requirements, everyone must work together and support each other to meet the criteria. For example, a sports relay. But what I believe happens is different– people are responsible for their part of the relay. When all the participants do a certain amount of work, the whole team can win. So they are motivated to do their parts, as well as support others, because everyone benefits. It’s the “team work makes the dream work” contingency. Also, no one wants to be the person who ruined it for everyone, which is an extra built-in motivator.

Then we have the dependent group contingency. The hero procedure. This is a good one if you have a few, or a group member, who is struggling. These folks could use being the hero. When everyone’s reinforcement is contingent on one person or a small group, the rest of the group supports that potential hero. This increases the hero’s motivation because they get two benefits– whatever it is that the whole group will earn and the benefit of being the person who made it happen. The hero. There’s also a bonus motivation– not wanting to screw it up for everyone.

Three different interventions related only by the group.

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