Sometimes we behave in ways that not everyone likes. While most students can control this, children and adolescents do not find it so easy.

Whether it is because they do not understand the evil they may be doing or because they simply like to sow chaos, many young people do not behave properly and both teachers and parents end up trying desperately to change them.

But change doesn’t happen by itself. It is necessary to intervene and, for this, one of the best techniques to change the behaviour of children and adolescents is the contingency contract . If you want to know more about this useful tool, we invite you to continue reading.

What is a contingency contract?

A contingency contract is an agreement that is made by several parties and specifies a course of conduct to be followed . Normally, these parties are a child and an adult, either a parent, a legal guardian or a teacher, although it is true that there are cases in which this type of contract can be used with adults, such as in couples’ therapy.

This agreement sets out behavioural expectations which, if met, will lead to some form of reward. Contingency contracts, which can also be called behavioural contracts , are among the techniques for modifying behaviour, which come from classical and operative conditioning . The objective of this tool is that, whether it is a child, an adolescent or an adult, the latter changes his or her behaviour by applying positive reinforcement.

What is meant by positive reinforcement?

One of the keys to operative conditioning is positive reinforcement. This consists of offering the subject a positive stimulus each time he carries out a desirable behavior. In this way, the person, whether a child or an adolescent, will see as a positive consequence of his behaviour being rewarded with some kind of benefit. This reward can be something material, such as being able to use their favourite toy, or something more experiential, such as being able to go out with friends.

Positive reinforcement is a fundamental element of the contingency contract, given that if it is not used, it will be very difficult for the child or adolescent to carry out the behaviour we want them to do. This is why, when trying to establish this type of agreement, it is very important to take into account which are those objects or experiences that could motivate the subject to whom this type of contract is to be applied. Not everyone is motivated by the same thing.

It should also be understood that enhancers must be administered properly, taking into account the notion of time of the subject to whom they are applied. For example, a young child needs to be rewarded immediately after performing the behavior we want him to do. On the other hand, an adolescent may be delayed a little in receiving the reward . The important thing is that the individual manages to see that the reward is the positive consequence of his or her actions.

How should it be applied?

Once we have seen the definition of the contingency contract and what is meant by positive reinforcement, it may seem very easy to apply this type of behavior modification technique. However, not everything is so simple. When using this type of technique it is very important to try to meet a number of requirements, otherwise the contingency contract will fail miserably.

First, the contract must be in writing and signed by both parties . This may seem excessive for young children, but it will give them the feeling that they are doing something really serious and will try to put their best foot forward. Also, by putting it in writing, it records what both parties have accomplished. It is very important that the contract has been agreed by all the people involved, so that it feels fair and that everyone’s opinion has been taken into account.

The behaviors that are intended to be achieved through this contract must be understood by all parties, written in a simple and direct style, even for adolescents and adults. Behavior in abstract terms should be avoided at all costs. The idea is that no free interpretations are given . For example, a very clear behaviour would be ‘doing homework after lunch’, while it would not be appropriate to put something like ‘keeping up to date’.

Short-term, affordable behaviors must also be established, which can be organized as steps toward a greater goal. For example, it wouldn’t be right to put something like “getting good grades on all tests” if the child is failing on the basics. It would be appropriate to start with something like ‘study one week in advance for this term’s exams’.

As already mentioned, all behaviour must imply some kind of consequence . Ideally, the desired behaviours should always have some kind of positive reinforcement, whether they are pleasant situations or desired objects. These reinforcements should be proportionate to the steps and progress being made. If the child or adolescent advances, but little, it is better to give him/her moderate reinforcement.

As with any contract, it is very important that both parties comply with what has been agreed. This, which may seem obvious, is a somewhat complicated point not for the children or adolescents, but for their parents who, sometimes, fearing to be too strict, go too far with tolerance and give the prizes without any real progress being made. For this to work, one must be constant, in order to make the other party see that one is serious.

Advantages of the Contingency Contract

As we have suggested throughout this article, the contingency contract is not just for children. It also applies to adults who, for one reason or another, are engaging in behaviour that they wish to change or omit. This means that this tool can be applied in all kinds of contexts, ranging from educational centres, through the home, to prisons, companies, therapeutic groups…

What is certain is that, applied in childhood and adolescence, it can become a great ally of teachers and parents who are desperate for their students’ and children’s education. This system of rewards, as long as it has been planned on the basis of the rules mentioned in the previous section, can become a powerful tool that ensures the healthy development of the youngest .

On a personal level, this technique allows for improved communication and understanding between the parties involved, in addition to putting their empathy into practice. It also helps to increase their motivation to behave well, as they know that in one way or another they will be rewarded with something they do like.

Bibliographic references:

  • Cantrell, R. P., Cantrell, M. L., Huddleston, C. M., & Wooldridge, R. L. (1969). Contingency contracting with school problems. Journal of applied behavior analysis, 2(3), 215-220. doi:10.1901/jaba.1969.2-215
  • Mann R. A. (1972). El uso terapéutico de la contracción de contingencia para controlar un problema de comportamiento adulto: control de peso. Journal of applied behavior analysis, 5(2), 99-109. doi:10.1901/jaba.1972.5-99.